Rain Barrel

By Juliet Kaszas-Hoch | on May 18, 2023

READY TO INSTALL: Register to make a rain barrel at the LBT Field Station in Holgate this Saturday, May 20. (Supplied Photo)

The Long Beach Township Field Station is teaming up with AmeriCorps NJ to offer a rain barrel-building workshop from 10 a.m. to noon this Saturday, May 20 at the township facility at 127 West Osborn Ave. in Holgate. Registration is required, as space is limited.

"Participants will learn the benefits of using a rain barrel and how to construct one," the event coordinators note. "You will leave with your own rain barrel ready to install."

Rain barrels – generally 55-gallon size – are placed under a gutter's downspout, or elsewhere in a yard, to collect rainwater. The water captured in the barrels can then be used to irrigate gardens and lawns, helping conserve water and reduce water bills.

"Approximately 500 gallons of rainwater can come off an 800-square-foot roof in a 1-inch rain storm, and every gallon of rainwater that can be captured in rain barrels is a gallon of rainwater that does not flow into a storm drain or waterway," said LBT Sustainability Director Angela Andersen. "This can make a difference in the long-term maintenance of storm sewer systems. It can also make a difference in reducing the amount of polluted runoff that enters nearby waters.

"Recycling rainwater is the easiest way to be a local steward."

A barrel will be provided at no charge for this workshop. For a $30 donation – cash or check made out to "Township of Long Beach," with "Donation to Field Station" in the memo – additional supplies will be available to complete the rain barrel.

For those who prefer to bring their own supplies, what is needed is as follows: one ¾-by-½-inch garden hose adapter; one ¾-by-½-inch brass faucet (boiler drain); one 10-inch pond basket; three ¾-inch electrical conduit locknuts, with or without PVC seal; and 2½ 3-foot gray window screens.

To register for this event, visit lbtfieldstation.com/event/rain-barrel-workshop. —J.K.-H.

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