Reduce water bills and stormwater pollution at the same time. March is an ideal time to jump on the spring growing season, as April showers bring his May blooms. An easy and affordable way to take advantage of nature's water supply is to install a rainwater tank on your property. This home improvement collects and stores rainwater for your outdoor watering needs, reducing water costs and runoff pollution at the same time.
“Attaching a rainwater tank to your downspouts prevents rainwater from entering storm drains and stores it for later use on your lawn, garden, and plants,” says the team at the askHRgreen.org Community Wide Awareness Initiative. said leader Rebecca Eastop. . “This alone makes rainwater tanks a valuable use of free water. But rainwater tanks can also help prevent soil erosion and flooding by preventing pollutants from running off your garden. ”
Rainwater flows along roofs, driveways, and sidewalks, picking up dirt, debris, engine oil, fertilizer, pet waste, and other pollutants. Debris flows into storm water drainage systems and spills into local streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
Ready-to-install rainwater tanks can be found at local hardware stores, home and garden stores, and do-it-yourself stores throughout Hampton Roads. Alternatively, for less than $100, you can attach a hose bib to a sturdy trash can using a drill, screws, and a nylon screen. (See instructions below).
Another option is to attend one of the popular askHRgreen.org rainwater tank workshops held throughout the region. Participants will build rain barrels during the workshop, and he will pay $25 to install them at home. These low-cost workshops are made possible through a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund and the sale of Virginia Chesapeake Bay license plates. Follow the askHRgreen.org blog (askhrgreen.org/blog/) for workshop announcements.
Tips to reduce rainwater pollution
Besides rainwater tanks, here are other ways to reduce rainwater pollution.
- Test your lawn's soil before adding lawn fertilizer. Excessive fertilization can result in chemicals leaching into local waterways. Test your soil first using a do-it-yourself kit available at hardware stores, garden stores, or Virginia Cooperative Extension. The results will help determine how much fertilizer to apply to achieve a healthy lawn.
- Leave the grass clippings on the lawn. You can avoid using fertilizers entirely by mulching grass clippings back into your garden and providing a free natural source of nitrogen.
- Bare spots of seeds. Bald spots in your garden can cause you to lose topsoil when it rains. If these are in shady areas, consider replacing the grass with shade-loving ground covers or plants.
- Choose more plants or less grass. Trees, shrubs, and perennials can help reduce the negative effects of stormwater runoff more than lawns. If possible, choose native plants that are drought tolerant, disease resistant, and attract important insects, birds, and wildlife to your garden. For inspiration, check out the Native Plant Guide to Southeastern Virginia published by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program.
- Mulch the bedding area. Mulch helps control erosion, retain moisture, stabilize soil temperature, and prevent weeds. The leaves are a natural source of mulch and can be placed in plant nursery areas to protect them from storm drains.
- If you live near water, create a large vegetative buffer between your home and the shoreline. This blocks sediment and filters pollutants running off the land.
- Use a downspout extension. To deal with water that collects around your home's foundation, consider installing a downspout extension. Extending downspouts can direct rainwater flow away from foundations and other paved areas. Direct the flow towards your lawn or garden area so that rainwater can safely soak into the ground.
“Thoroughly managing stormwater can help keep pollutants out of the rain's path,” Eastop says. “It not only improves your property, it also improves the health of local waterways and the ecosystems that depend on them.”
For tips on working smarter in your garden, visit askhrgreen.org/lawn-garden-best-practices/.
AskHRgreen.org's Low-Cost Rainwater Tank Workshop
askhrgreen.org volunteers will be holding rain barrel workshops throughout Hampton Roads in March and April. Participants pay just $25 to assemble and install a rainwater tank in their home during the workshop. Follow the askHRgreen.org blog (https://askhrgreen.org/blog/) for workshop announcements.
Follow the instructions below to build your own rain gutter.
Total construction time averages 10 to 15 minutes, and the cost is approximately $45, depending on the size of the dumpster you purchase.
Parts required:
- 1 — Heavy-duty trash can
- 1 – 1/2 inch hose bib
- 1 to 6 inch chimney pipe trim colors
- 2 – 1/2 inch faucet tailpipe nut
- 2 – #15 O-ring
- 1 – 1/2 inch threaded nipple
- 1 – 1/2 inch threaded PVC extender
- 4 — small screw
- 1 — One 7-inch x 7-inch nylon screen
tool:
- drill with screw tip
- ¾ inch paddle drill bit
- tin cutter or jigsaw
direction:
- Drill a 3/4-inch hole about 3 to 4 inches from the bottom of the barrel.
- Drill a 3/4-inch hole near the top of the barrel.
- Screw a 1/2-inch threaded nipple onto the hose bib and insert it into the hole in the bottom.
- Slide the O-ring onto the threaded nipple from inside the barrel and screw on the faucet's tailpipe nut until it is securely seated.
- Insert the 1/2-inch threaded PVC extender into the top hole.
- Slide the O-ring from the inside onto the threaded end and secure with the faucet tailpipe nut.
- Use tin nippers or a jigsaw to cut a 5-inch hole in the trash can lid.
- Trim the nylon screen to match the chimney pipe trim color.
- Place the screen, trim the cover into the holes in the lid and attach it with screws.
- Trim the downspout where the rainwater tank will be installed to the height of the new rainwater tank. Aim the downspouts to drain into the chimney collar.
- Place the rainwater tank on top of two concrete blocks to create a level surface.
- Wait for the rain!
About askHRgreen.org: askHRgreen.org is your go-to source for all things Hampton Roads eco-friendly, from recycling tips and tricks to keep local waterways clean, to water-saving ideas and easy steps to make your green local life easier. is. This region-wide awareness and education campaign, launched in 2011, is administered through the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and is staffed by: Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk and Poquoson. , Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia City Beaches, and Williamsburg. Gloucester County, Isle of Wight County, James City County, Southampton County, Surry County, York County. Town of Smithfield. and HRSD. Like askHRgreen.org on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and tune in to YouTube for the Let's Talk Green blog written by a team of local experts.