A Barrel A Day Keeps Stormwater At Bay

Photo by Roxie Rochat. Beverly Paulson is the late Camano Island artist that helped Roxie come up with this beautiful design.

There is a lot an individual can do to contribute to healthier waterways. Rainwater harvesting not only allows you to collect water when it’s abundant and save it for when it’s needed most, it’s also an action you can take to improve water quality, reduce erosion, and protect salmon habitat. These benefits are achieved by reducing stormwater runoff. 

What is stormwater runoff? 

As Washington’s population continues to grow, urban development does too. Development leads to fewer permeable areas where rain can soak into the soil. Stormwater runoff occurs when rain and snowmelt meet impervious surfaces like rooftops and roads, and travels down the watershed.

When runoff flows over roads, concrete, and other impermeable surfaces, it picks up pollutants on its way to streams, rivers, lakes, and ultimately, Puget Sound. These pollutants impact shellfish beds, recreational areas, salmon, and other fish and wildlife.

Rain barrels and cisterns allow you to capture the water from your roof that could otherwise end up as stormwater runoff. This reduces the potential for runoff to become contaminated and it also reduces the total amount of runoff during heavy storms.

Decreasing the volume and velocity of water traveling through our streams and rivers helps reduce erosion and flooding. It also helps make it possible for water to seep back into the ground slowly, allowing it to filter through the soil and recharge groundwater.

Rainwater harvesting is also a great opportunity to save money on the water you use for irrigation, washing vehicles, or for livestock. Rain barrels are also a fun way to engage youth with conservation education.

Many residents have painted their barrels during one of our rain barrel painting events or at home with their families, neighbors, and roommates. Check out how to prep your rain barrel for painting!

How do I get and set up a rainwater catchment system?

You can collect rainwater by connecting the existing downspouts of a building's gutter system to a barrel or a cistern. The size of a rainwater collection system depends on how the water will be used. Typically, cisterns are used on larger properties like a farm, while barrels are used on residential homes or sheds.

Snohomish Conservation District is currently hosting a rain barrel giveaway and the last day to enter is Thursday, December 28! Sign up for your chance to receive a free rain barrel here. 

Once you have a rain barrel, you can follow these steps for an easy set up. If you have more than one rain barrel, you can have an even larger impact by connecting them! Learn how to do that in this video.