This past spring and summer, over fifty rain barrels found homes in our upstream communities, especially Cheltenham Township, helping to capture and slow down stormwater before it gets to our creeks.
Stormwater runoff is the number one source of pollution to our waterways. Capturing and slowing down this water is one way to improve creek health…and rain barrels are one easy tool to help us accomplish this goal! This past spring, in addition to providing rain barrel information workshops, we sold Camels Hump rain barrels directly to residents. Camels Hump is a local company that specializes in affordable, durable, and attractive barrels.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, a rain barrel can store and save 1,300 gallons of water per month. These 56 barrels have prevented 70,000 gallons of runoff from adding to high flows in the Tookany Creek. Instead, the water is used by pollution-filtering plants and returned to groundwater. “I live near Rowland Community Center and when it rains, water from my property ends up in Tookany Creek,” rain barrel owner Sharon Bennett shared.
Rain Barrels are large containers (usually about 55 gallons) that connect to downspouts and collect rainwater from rooftops. Water is stored in the barrel until a homeowner uses it for watering plants, washing patio furniture or cars, or any other non-potable uses. Besides conserving water and saving on water bills, residents are keeping water from flowing to the creek during the peak of a storm. This helps cut down on creek flows that wash away streambanks and drop pollution-laden sediment into creek habitat.
Rowland Community Center hosted the first of three informational rain barrel workshops in February, which attracted over 25 eager residents. As the winter came to an end, 20 barrels were delivered to theie new owners. These new rain barrel owners created quite a buzz and dozens of folks contactied us to find out how they could get a barrel too! Two more sessions were held in May and June, with partners Creekside Co-op and Friends of High School Park hosting both workshops and barrel deliveries. A special thanks to Cheltenham Township for helping us spread the word!
This exciting interest in rain barrels is proof that citizens understand and want to protect our creeks. Haven’t installed your rain barrel yet? Need another one? Reserve a barrel now and you’ll be at the top of the list for the Spring 2016 rain barrel season. These barrels have gotten rave reviews. Thom Cross of Cheltenham wrote: “The barrel is designed to allow a water bucket to fill from it’s spigot and comes with a screen to filter-out any debris the comes from the down spout and gutter. These barrels have great features that many rain barrels get wrong.“
Stop by the Creekside Coop to see the Camel’s Hump rain barrel located at their exit. Make sure you’re on our email list to receive rain barrel sale and workshop news. For information or to reserve a barrel, contact Alex Cooper at cooper@ttfwatershed.org/215-744-1853
If you live in Philadelphia, you can get a free rain barrel through Rain Check. The Abington Environmental Advisory Council sells rain barrels, too! Learn more here.
