Print this page Rain Barrel: Save the Environment
Clifford T Johnson, P.E., CSE
Course Outline
Rain Barrel: Most plans DO NOT include a pumping system which is required if the barrel is going to be easy to use for watering yards or plants unless it is installed on a frame that puts the bottom at least 8 foot above ground. This plan incorporates a sump pump and hose that allows a person to water a garden or lawn. Not only is it environmentally friendly, it is better for the plants. Water is expensive and may be rationed during the summer months, however, that is when much of the homeowners water is spent outdoors!
”Don’t forget to elevate the rain barrel". That's what most of the web sites tell you to do. Using the spigot on a rain barrel requires force to make the water flow. In the absence of a pump, that meant help from gravity. I’m here to tell you, there needs to be a pretty substantial height difference to get the flow of the water going or it’ll just trickle out. It really needs a pump to do much watering.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Be able to Assemble a complete Rain Barrel system to collect water from roof gutters;
- Learn how a rain water flows from a barrel without a pump;
- learn why rain water is much better for plants and gardens;
- Understand the difference between rain (soft) water and tap water;
- Be knowledgeable in and assist other neighbors to install a system;
- Understand why a system employing a sump pump is superior to most plans;
- Various methods of using rain barrels; and
- Safe rain water harvesting.
Intended Audience
Any person interested in the environment should consider this project that is not only environmentally friendly, but goes a long way to saving water for a DRY day. Gardeners should be particularly interested and those that are using well water should absolutely have a need for such a system.
Benefit to Attendees
The average city dweller will benefit by saving on cost of city water which is increasing faster than other utilities. In Charlotte where I live that asks us to ration water 2 years ago because of draught conditions and many of us did, however, the city had to increase the cost because the were not receiving enough funds to support the operation. We were penalized for following the cities request. The person using well water would be able to use the rain water for washing and waste during draught, he can also use for drinking with addition of proper filtration (see page 8) and sanitizing. All gardeners would reap the most benefits because rain water is much better for plants and vegetables.
Course Introduction
Rain barrels help slow down rain runoff so it can drain naturally into the ground. That helps keep excess water out of sewer systems and keeps rain runoff from collecting pollutants on its trip to nearby waterways. Why is that important? Reduced runoff helps prevent water pollution and flooding. Every time it rains, unabsorbed water rushes to storm drains and directly to local waterways. This water carries with it pollutants such as pet waste, automotive fluids and fertilizer and deposits it directly into our streams, rivers and lakes.
Course Content
This course content is in the following PDF document:
Rain Barrel: Save the Environment
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Course Summary
Because I am a controls engineer I was able to purchase and install the complete system including the electrical. This, of course, saved a good bit of money, however, you may need to have a Electrician install the electrical sump pump. The manual lever pump is what my wife uses a good bit of the time for house plants. She tells me the Orchids do much better with the rain water. There is little doubt that the sump pump makes the rain water more useful and convenient and allows the barrels to be placed on the ground for better maintenance. I do plan on replacing the large corrugated plastic gutter piping with a more pleasing to the eye type soon.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
