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Rain Barrel Workshop

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The next Rain Barrel Workshop will be held 

April 20, 2023 6:00 p.m. at

the Jay County Solid Waste

Management District office!!

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rainwater Harvest

What is rainwater harvesting:  

A technique for collecting, storing and using rainwater for landscape irrigation and

other uses.  Normally when it rains the rainwater pours off your roof, down your gutters and off into the yard or

down the street.  Let’s capture that water!  If you have gutters or downspouts on your house, garage or barn,

you have a fantastic system for harvesting soft, clean rainwater!

 

  Why:      

•  There’s money falling from the skies every time it rains! 

 •  It is socially acceptable and environmentally responsible

     •  It’s a renewable, sustainable resource

      •  If a city dwelling, it will reduce your water bill

•  Improve plant growth as it’s free of pollutants, salts & minerals

   • It’s FREE!!

 

How much rain can I collect:  

1” of rain x 1 sq. ft. = .623 gallons… or … 1” of rain from a 1,000 sq. ft. roof will

provide 623 gallons of water.  A good rule of thumb is the average 25’ x 40’ roof produces 600 gallons of water

in an hour of moderate rainfall (about 1”)

  

 

Why would you invest $75.00-$100.00 on a rain barrel from a retail merchant when you can re-purpose a

55 gallon plastic barrel that you can obtain (free of charge, as long as you’re not “re-selling” them)

from the JCSWMD.  All you need to do is purchase a spicot,

drill a hole and you will have a “re-purposed rain barrel”!

 You can purchase a spicot from any retail vendor, but I’ve been successful with a plastic ¾” spicot from

Rural King for $2.99.  I use a 15/16” wood drill bit and then the spicot TIGHTLY threads into the hole creating

a water tight seal. 

Drill a 2nd hole at the top side of the barrel for overflow.  Adjust your house guttering to drop directly into the

hole in the top of the barrel (hole is already there), elevate the barrel so you may fit a bucket, watering can

or hose, under the spicot.  The higher the elevation  - the stronger the flow.  Water barrels may be used either

horizontally or vertically.

 

There are many other uses for the 55 gallon plastic barrels available at no cost (again, only if you are NOT

re-selling them)…. I’ve had local folks use them for: grain storage, dog houses, and growing plants!

 

 

I’d like to see how “creative” you’ve been!  Take a photo of your “creation” and email it

to bjacobssolidwaste@hotmail.com – perhaps it will get posted on this page!

- Bettie Jacobs, Educator

JCSWMD Events

Mar
25
  • Dunkirk Recycling Trailer- West Jay Optmist Club

    9:00 am - 12:00 pm
    450 E Mt Auburn Ave, Dunkirk, IN 47336
Mar
25
  • Portland Recycling Trailers- Jay County 4-H Shooting Sports

    9:00 am - 12:00 pm
    220 W Lincoln St, Portland, IN 47371
Mar
27
  • District Board Meeting

    3:30 pm
    5948 W St Rd 67, Portland, IN 47371
Apr
1
  • Redkey Recycling Trailer- Redkey Gamma Nu Sorority

    9:00 am - 12:00 pm
    123 W High St Redkey IN 47373
Apr
1
  • Portland Recycling Trailers- Jay County Trail Riders

    9:00 am - 12:00 pm
    220 W Lincoln St, Portland, IN 47371



Find More Events Here

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Closed on the following HOLIDAYS

JCSWMD sign

George McGinnis
Coordinator/Director
(260) 729-5071

Bettie Jacobs
Education Director
(260) 729-5071

5948 W State Road 67
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: (260) 729-5071

Email: jcswmd@gmail.com

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Event Calendar

March, 2023
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
    01 02 03 04
05 06 07 08 09 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
Total Events this Month 10
2023-03-04 - Redkey Recycling Trailer- Redkey Town and Country
2023-03-04 - Portland Recycling Trailers- Madison Go-Getters 4-H Club
2023-03-04 - Salamonia Recycling Trailer- Salamonia VFD
2023-03-11 - Dunkirk Recycling Trailer- West Jay Optmist Club
2023-03-11 - Portland Recycling Trailers- Judan Judo Club
2023-03-18 - Pennville Recycling Trailer- Girl Scouts #3693
2023-03-18 - Portland Recycling Trailers- BSA #202
2023-03-25 - Dunkirk Recycling Trailer- West Jay Optmist Club
2023-03-25 - Portland Recycling Trailers- Jay County 4-H Shooting Sports
2023-03-27 - District Board Meeting
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