'Make & Take' Rain Barrel Workshop

Did you know that, according to the EPA, lawn and garden watering make up nearly 40% of total household water use during the summer ? Or that the biggest threat to our waters today is polluted runoff — water that runs off our roofs and into our streets and alleys, carrying oil, sediment and other contaminants into our lakes, rivers and streams?

But there is one simple way to save water, save money, and help protect our watershed: use a rain barrel to collect and store rainwater for use on your lawn and gardens. 

Coca-Cola Refreshments in Eagan, Minnesota has provided Friends of the Mississippi River with 55-gallon syrup containers. During the course of this workshop, participants will be provided with the necessary parts ($30 per kit) and guided through the process of converting these containers to rain barrels.

The workshop will begin with a presentation on the many ways in which home lawn and garden practices impact the health of our waters and what we can do to make a difference. We’ll discuss the watershed-friendly benefits of rain barrels, how to build them, and how to incorporate them into your yard, including installation, maintenance and safety. With guidance from FMR and Coca-Cola staff, participants will then build a rain barrel to take home. 

The barrels are white but paintable, and the conversion kit uses a diverter system that eliminates the need to cut gutter downspouts or install over-flow valves, and eliminates potential for mosquito breeding.

This event is part of the Vermillion Stewards program, which is sponsored by the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization and engages citizens in the care of the Vermillion River and its watershed and the special places within it.