What’s a Rain Barrel? And why do I want one?
Rain Barrels collect water from your rooftop that travels through your gutter or downspout to your lawn and patio, or it is piped directly to the street or alley. This water carries pollution from the air that settles on your roof that is ‘flushed’ when it rains. The water run-off also picks up other contaminants like fertilizer, oil and gas from cars, and animal waste as it runs off your lawn, driveway, or sidewalk. Stormwater entering the storm-drain system is piped directly and untreated to your local stream. Using the rainwater collected in your rain barrel to water your lawn and garden actually helps filter the pollution naturally.
In addition, using a rain barrel reduces the volume of stormwater before it enters the stream - helping keep stream banks intact by reducing erosion. Stable stream banks allow trees to thrive, creating habitat, cooling effects, and additional pollution filtering benefits.
Plus, using a rain barrel saves you money - why pay for drinking water out of your hose to water your garden when you can use free, recycled water?
To use a rain barrel you must ‘disconnect’ your downspout to capture your rooftop run-off. This is a simple and safe procedure the Jones Falls Watershed Association can help you with. Hundreds of people across Baltimore are doing their part to help clean up our Watershed. Disconnect today!
In fact, if only 500 houses disconnected one downspout, over 1.1 million gallons of stormwater would be removed from our waterways, greatly reducing the flow of pollution into the Chesapeake Bay.
Rain Barrels from the JFWA include the 55 gal. barrel with catch basket, overflow hose, and outlet hose with control valve. Rain Barrels are priced at $60 for non-members and $50 for members of the JFWA. The Rain Barrels can be painted and decorated as well. Recently, the JFWA has collaborated with Walker/Pedersen, a local artist team, to create visually appealing barrels of all types. They can be reached at www.walker-pedersen.com for consultation
Stormwater is the name for water created in precipitation events; stormwater that doesn't soak into the ground heads for the nearest stream as surface run-off. In our highly urbanized environment, impervious surfaces, such as buildings, roads and parking lots, make up more than 30% of the land area in the southern Jones Falls watershed. More run-off flows from these impervious areas than more undeveloped areas, like forests or meadows. In the Jones Falls, the amount of impervious area is a direct correlation to water quality – lesser paved areas in the northern watershed are significantly cleaner then the heavily paved downtown area. Stormwater is the source of significant pollution and flooding in the 
Be Part of the Solution!
- Reduce or eliminate the use of fertilizer on your lawn. If you do need to fertilize, use the minimum amount and be sure there isn't rain in the forecast or your fertilizer could be headed downstream.
- Pick up pet waste. Every time, everywhere.
- Plant trees in your yard. A tree can soak up 350 gallons of stormwater every year.
- Plant a tree near a creek. Trees are especially important along our streams. Trees hold streambanks together, reducing erosion, and soak up stormwater. Don't have a stream in your yard? Volunteer with the JFWA to plant a tree!
JFWA Rain Barrel designed by Walker-Pederson
