Soil and Water District to host Rain Barrel Workshops
The Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District will host four workshops in April to teach you how to make your own rain barrel. A rain barrel is a container used to collect and store rainwater that would otherwise be lost to runoff and likely diverted to a storm drain. Collected water may then be used to water lawns and gardens.
The benefits of rain barrels include:
• WATER CONSERVATION - Approximately 60 percent of our municipal water supply goes directly to watering our lawns. By using rain barrels, you lessen the amount of water flowing into our storm drains, sewer systems and ultimately local waterways.
• PROTECTION OF LOCAL WATERSHEDS -
Seventy million pounds of pesticides are applied to lawns each year, contaminating storm water (rainwater) runoff. Fertilizers and pesticides are the primary source of water pollution. By collecting rain water, you prevent that runoff from picking up and carrying these harmful pollutants into our local waterways.
• NATURAL GARDENING - Using rainwater to water your garden is natural and healthy. Plants and beneficial microbes like rainwater because it is naturally soft and free of chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals.
Learn more by attending a workshop and make your own rain barrel. The cost for the workshop is $60 and includes a rain barrel and downspout diverter. Workshops are scheduled for: April 7, Franklin Circle Christian Church in Ohio City, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m., 216-524-6580, ext. 22; April 15, Broadview Center in Broadview Heights, 6 - 7:30 p.m., 216-524-6580, ext 14; April 18 Brecksville Community Center in Brecksville, 10 - 11:30 a.m., 216-524-6580, ext 22; April 23, Jenkins Center in Olmsted Falls, 7 - 8:30 p.m., 216-524-6580, ext 22.
For more information, contact Amy Roskilly at 216-524-6580, ext. 22, aroskilly@cuyahogaswcd.org or visit www.cuyahogaswcd.org.