Rain Barrels

Benefits to the Environment: Reduced stormwater runoff and pollution from sediment and soil erosion. Rainwater re-use reduces municipal freshwater usage.

Benefits to you: Water used for lawns and gardens conserves water. Reduce water running off roofs to help mitigate flooding at home/downstream.

The Simple Steps to Take: Buy Rain Barrels at any home store and install or go to a rain barrel workshop (www.PRC.org or www.DCVA.org).

Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) and the Eastern Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative often host Free Rain Barrel and Stormwater Management Webinars followed by next day contactless rain barrel pick-up.  Attendees will learn about the problems associated with stormwater runoff, ways to conserve water in their homes, and watershed friendly landscaping techniques.   The workshop will also cover the basics of how to install and maintain a rain barrel.  Rain barrels will be provided to the first 50 registrants for each webinar.  

Workshops are free, but registration is required.  Use the links above for online registration. You may also call 610-353-1555 ext. 2 Rain Barrel and workshops are provided free of charge through grant funding from the PA DEP Growing Greener Grants Program.

 Rain Barrels best capture water when connected to a house downspout with the use of a diverter. 

Installing Rain Barrel / Diverter Videos (samples)

Good first 2 minutes for setting barrel, (but permanent diverter type NOT recommended), 4 min: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKD3bqIItpE

Good 5 minute for in line Fiskars example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1O3gdb2lrM

Good first 3 minutes for simple inline type https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgD4kJXUqjw

Earth Minded DIY Diverter (hole in downspout) 5 min: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3fkdu_3fk0

Rain Brothers Diverter (in line), 39 seconds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_HYLF9Euqg

Oatey Diverter 1.5 min https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbKaBabmJZI