The North Carolina State Climate Office has indicated that our region will continue to see long periods of drought, punctuated by intense and heavy rainstorms.  This can be a challenge for gardening in times of water scarcity.

Homeowners can take advantage of the water nature gives us. Using a rain barrel or cistern to collect rainwater can lower your water bill, be good for your plants, and protect the environment by reducing runoff from your property.  

A rainwater harvesting or rain barrel system captures stormwater runoff, usually from a rooftop, and stores that water for later use. Using harvested rainwater for purposes that don’t require treated drinking water has many advantages:

• It reduces the demand on municipal water supplies and thus increases the sustainability of drinking water supplies.
• Its use may be exempt from restrictions during a drought.
• It can reduce water bills, meaning the system can partially pay for itself.
• It can protect local water quality by capturing nutrients and other pollutants from rooftop runoff, preventing them from contaminating surface waters.
• It can contribute valuable plant nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, to garden irrigation water.

The N.C. Cooperative Extension – Brunswick County Center in partnership with our Extension Master Garden Volunteer Association offers rain barrels for sale.  These rain barrels are made using repurposed food-grade barrels, so they also help with “reduce, reuse, and recycle”. The completed rain barrels come with a brass faucet, an overflow pipe, and screened water inlet.

Rain Barrels may be purchased at EMGVA Plant Sales or at any time during office hours at our Extension office.  The cost is $75 and we accept cash or checks made out to BC EMGVA.

To Install your Rain Barrel:

1. Determine the location for your rain barrel, ideally under an existing downspout.
2. Remember that a full rain barrel with be very heavy, so it is important to position your barrel on level ground to avoid it tipping over.
3. You will need to elevate your rain barrel using cinder blocks, pavers, or other materials. This will help you access the faucet and give you a gravity assist with the flow of the water.
4. Use a hacksaw to cut existing downspout and install a flexible elbow to direct water into the barrel.
5. Rain barrels fill up quickly and you’ll need to plan for where to direct overflow. Attach an appropriate length of hose to the overflow pipe to direct water to a vegetated area or rain garden.

Rain Barrel Diagram credit: Snohomish Conservation District