Did you know that the one inch of rain falling on 1,000 square feet of roof can yield 600 gallons of water? It’s true and the City of Valparaiso is encouraging residents to take advantage of this free water source and protect local waterways at the same time by using rain barrels. A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from rooftops that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains and streams, carrying with it any pollutants it picks up along the way to creeks and rivers.
“Using rain water for your lawn or garden is great for your plants and it’s free,” said Mingyan Zhou, of the city’s Engineering Department. Zhou serves as the city’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Operator. The city estimates that lawn and garden watering makes up nearly 40 percent of total household water during the summer months so rain barrels can help residents in meeting this seasonal need.
The city is working with a company to provide residents with a reduced rate for 55-gallon rain barrels made from recycled food grade barrels. The barrels have a screw-on lid with one-inch holes, screen mesh to keep out debris and mosquitoes, an overflow male hose connection, a drain valve and a connection to attach additional barrels. You can attach a garden hose, landscape tubing or drip tubing to the barrel for easy access as a full 55-gallon rain barrel would weigh more than 450 pounds.
How to Get Your Rain Barrel
To learn more about the advantages of rain barrels and how to purchase your own, visit valpo.us/MS4 or contact Mingyan Zhou at MS4@valpo.us. Barrels purchased through the city will be available for pick up at Central Park Plaza on July 19.