Rainy season is soon upon us and umbrellas, coats and boots are coming out of the closet. While many people grumble and complain about the advent of the rain, gardeners rejoice. What it means is the annual filling of the rain barrels. After a long dry summer, rain barrels are usually dry as well.

Collecting rainwater is not a new idea and can have many significant benefits including reducing the amount of fresh drinking water used in home gardens, greenhouses and other outdoor uses such as cleaning paintbrushes and tools. Finding water from alternative sources for non-consumptive uses helps stave off the depletion of our aquifers.

Dr. John Barber, a professor at Washington State University-Vancouver, has five barrels set up behind his house for collecting the rain. He uses it to water his prolific gardens. By holding back the stormwater’s introduction into the system, Barber said, he is helping mitigate the water cycle. He directs the overflow of water away from the roads and sewer system and into the ground instead. By doing this, Barber said, he is “using the natural filtration system of the ground to clean the water by letting it percolate through the soil and into the aquifer.” This helps replenish our supply of fresh water instead of sending it directly into the streams.

As Clark County continues to develop, greater amounts of impervious surfaces appear. These surfaces cause greater amounts of storm water runoff directed towards streams leading to erosion and flooding. Excess rainwater flowing into streams often carries contaminants like chemical fertilizers, oils and pet waste, reducing the water quality. Harvesting the rain helps reduce the amount of excess runoff. Rain barrels are a good way to store water safely and easily.

In Washington, rainwater is legally considered a water resource of the state. The law says water resources include “all water above, upon, or beneath the surface of the earth, located within the state.” (RCW 43.27A.020) The Department of Ecology, which manages the State’s water, doesn’t require permits for collection systems that hold minimal amounts of rainwater such as residential rain barrels.

Almost anyone can build and use rain barrels that are set up under the downspout of the gutters on the house. This allows collection of the roof runoff instead of allowing it to flow into the sewer or road. Be aware that all roofs are not created equal. Homeowners with old tar and gravel, old asbestos shingle and treated cedar shake roofs should not harvest roofwater. Also be careful with roofs that have been treated for moss. And remember that the water you collect is not potable for humans.

Most barrels hold 50 to 55 gallons of water and can be connected together in a row. They should be on some sort of raised platform such as cinder blocks for gravity to assist the flow of water. A faucet is attached to the bottom of the barrel allowing the homeowner easy access to the water and an overflow hose is connected near the top. Barber is able to collect up to 275 gallons of water with his setup. That means 275 fewer gallons of water on his water and sewer bill, he said.

According to the National Weather Service Office in Portland, Ore., Vancouver averages around 39 inches of rainfall per year and outlying towns such as Yacolt can get up to 76 inches. With this amount of rain it usually only takes an hour or so to fill one barrel so it is necessary to have an overflow at the top of the barrel. It should be directed away from the house so it doesn’t compromise the foundation. One good idea is directing it towards a rain garden.

Rain barrels can easily be made at home with a few simple tools, although there are many local resources for rain barrels. Most of the supplies needed may be purchased at any hardware or plumbing store. Barrels should be food grade which can often be found at food manufacturers such as the Yoshida Corporation in Portland which sells barrels for $10 a piece. Many available barrels have been used for soy sauce or vinegar.

Barbara Samuels, another avid gardener, takes a simpler approach. She has open whiskey barrels set up under two downspouts and a 32-gallon garbage can under another. When they fill, Samuels uses a bucket or other container to dip water out to use. Her overflow is hooked up directly to the sewer system. In open systems, one concern is mosquitoes. Although Samuels hasn’t had a problem, one preventative measure is keeping goldfish in the barrel. They thrive on mosquito larvae.
WSU Cooperative Extension Watershed Stewards offer rain barrel workshops. For $35, class attendees learn about harvesting the rain, rain barrels and then construct one to take home.

Upcoming workshops are September 24 and November 2 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the CASEE Center, 11104 N.E. 149th St., Brush Prairie. For more information or to pre-register, call 360-397-6060 ext. 0.

Ruth Zschomler is a contributor to The Voice.