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Galveston Rain Barrel Workshop

Conserve Water -- Protect the Bay!

Sponsored By:

Welcome!

Please check in at the registration table.

Questions?

Galveston Bay Watershed

Take the Pledge to Conserve Water!

Win some awesome prizes!

An Overview:

  • Land area where water, sediment, and pollutants drain to a common water body - like a funnel

  • Extends all the way north of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, covers 27,000 sq miles

  • Approximately half of the Texas population lives within the Galveston Bay watershed

  • Freshwater inflows from San Jacinto and Trinity rivers, local bayous and creeks

Our actions affect the health of Galveston Bay

Take Action with GBF!

To enter, visit

www.gbwb.org/water-wise-bay-cities-challenge/

1. The Galveston Bay Watershed - how our actions affect Galveston Bay

2. Why Rain Barrels?

3. Take Action with GBF!

4. Rain Barrel Set-up

F

D

I

C

B

A

Adequate for Now

Overall Health: C

The Bay is faring well considering significant challenges

such as habitat acreage declines, pollution,

and the impacts of coastal change –

But we must act now to prevent facing a crisis in the future!

Galveston Bay Foundation

Our Mission

Protect Galveston Bay for generations to come

Our Vision

Straight "A" Bay

Our Programs

Advocacy, Outreach,

Restoration, Conservation,

Education

Why do we use rain barrels?

1. They help conserve water!

Freshwater is in high demand

Let's Play a Guessing Game...

1,800 Gallons

20 Gallons

1.82 Gallons

What are rain barrels?

  • Houston gets its water from surface and groundwater

  • Houston is required to get at least 70% of its water supply from surface water, and this number will continue to rise

This requirement will increasingly put stress on the economy, our city, and our Bay.

Only 3% of Earth's water

is freshwater.

Less than 1% of the world's freshwater is accessible for all life on Earth.

One 35-gallon rain barrel will save about 1,050 gallons of water per year!

So, how much water does one barrel save?

=

Other ways to conserve

Use Water Smart Irrigation!

Landscape with native plants

Use mulch

Use rain barrels

Use a soaker hose

Don't Over-Water Your Grass!

Save Water Indoors!

Turn your faucet off

Fix leaks

  • Shallow, frequent watering causes your grass to put down fewer, weaker roots; doesn't stabilize soil
  • Over watering (deep, frequent) encourages the growth of fungus and diseases, and causes your grass to be less resilient
  • When you water deeply and infrequently, your grass is healthiest, and produces the strongest root system

Reduce and reuse

Get involved with your water utility

and Finally...

Encourage Proactive Water Conservation, NOT Reactive.

Ask for your city to implement outdoor irrigation water restrictions of no more than 2x per week:

  • By 2060, this policy would save our region 62,348 acre-feet of water per year
  • These water savings could avoid $200 million of infrastructure costs... or more

www.texaswaterconservationscorecard.org

Regulations and Rebates

Rain Barrel Uses

Rain Barrel Assembly

  • Drought resistant practices cannot be banned, but can be restricted.
  • Check with HOA and be mindful of aesthetics!
  • Tax exemptions as of 2016!

Install Inflow Hose

Wash your car,

your dog,

your dirty feet

(Medium)

Fill a bird bath

Water your garden

Water your yard

The Texas Legislature allows the exemption of part or all of the assessed

value of the property on which approved water conservation initiatives,

such as rainwater harvesting, are made (Texas Tax Code § 11.32).

Drill into flat surface

Don't forget sealant

Supply List

Rain Barrel Care

Just don't drink it or cook with it!

Not included:

Silicone sealant

Barrel Stand and Hose Height

Questions?

*Your kit contains a manual with the full, detailed installation instructions.

Place on stand before measuring

  • Keep gutters clean from debris
  • Clean periodically, rinse barrel with 3% bleach/water solution
  • After the first flush following a prolonged dry period, don't use the water

Diverter goes on 3-inch side of the gutter

Mosquito Prevention

Install Tap/Spigot at Bottom

Install Flow Hose

Connecting Barrels

(Smallest)

Rain barrels are a

low impact development practice.

Rain Barrel Placement

How to Prep Your Barrel

  • Use water regularly
  • Place mosquito dunks once a month or as needed
  • Use 1/4 cup of vegetable oil once a week or after each storm
  • Use 1 TBSP dish soap once a week or after each storm

Drill into flat surface

Don't forget sealant!

(Largest)

  • An alternative stormwater management system that works with the natural hydrology of a watershed
  • Using rain barrels fits into the larger picture of sustainable living - actions that benefit the health of Galveston Bay!

*Drill into 3-inch side of gutter

Choose a downspout

  • Drains to concrete
  • Near plants to water
  • 2”x3” or 3”x4” (standard)

Hose allows 3 ft. distance

Place on level ground

  • Wood, pavers, stones stacked 2 or 3 high

  • Elevate to increase gravity feed (6 inches)

No Gutters? No Problem!

Kaitlin Grable -

Water Quality Outreach Coordinator

  • Clean barrel with vinegar water solution (½ c vinegar, ¼ c baking soda, ½ gallon water)

  • Lightly sand with fine, sand paper (900-1200 grit)

  • Prime with plastic spray primer (1 can)
  • Apply solid color base coat (2-3 cans)
  • Paint designs using acrylic paints
  • Apply two coats of clear protective finish (1 can)
  • Krylon Fusion – WalMart or Sears

Rain Chains

  • Install with an open top barrel
  • Screen to prevent mosquitoes
  • Purchase pre-made or do it yourself!

http://www.ehow.com/how_6627003_use-rain-chain-having-gutters.html

Rain Saucers

www.rainsaucers.com

  • Install your first barrel
  • Set your second barrel next to and equal level with the first
  • Use the second hose to connect barrels near the top so the surplus will flow into the second

Questions?

kgrable@galvbay.org

281-332-3381 x220

Where's your runoff?

How much runoff can we reduce?

Bacteria Pollution

This workshop:

46 rain barrels x 1,050 gallons/year = 48,300 gallons/year!

*A three-fold problem*

City of Houston (2010):

892,646 SFHU x 1,050 gallons = 93.7 million gallons/year!

GBF Rain Barrel Photo Contest

  • Affects Economics
  • Affects Tourism
  • Affects the Environment

Why else do we use rain barrels?

x 3!!!

Submit photos to kgrable@galvbay.org by April 15:

  • Barrel must be painted and properly installed to qualify

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will receive a prize!

Urban vs Natural Landscape

What goes down the storm drain...

Go to www.galvbay.org/rainbarrel to see past winners!

Bacteria levels spike after periods of rain.

...goes into the Bay.

2. They help reduce stormwater runoff and flooding!

Reducing stormwater runoff reduces bacteria being introduced into the Bay.

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