SMALL SCALE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Introducing Storm Water

Management At Home
Focus: Rain Barrels
INTRODUCTION
When runoff is redirected as a result of impervious
surfaces such as sidewalks, roads, and streets, it creates
Stormwater is water that results from negative environmental side effects.
precipitation in any form and flows over land
surfaces. Therefore, stormwater runoff is the
generated rain and snowmelt that flows over
land or impervious surfaces.

Negative effects of stormwater runoff can include

accelerated erosion, pollution collection and redistribution
(often into local water bodies), and a decline in native
biodiversity.
The relationship
between
urbanization &
runoff

(Source: Federal Interagency)

 How the velocity of runoff effects erosion
As observed in the image, when runoff flows over impervious surfaces it can roll over exposed
grain and bring the particles into the flow. These particles are most commonly known as
sediment, and excess amounts harm waterbodies. Through the same motions, pollution can
collect and enter waterbodies as well. In extreme cases, excessive runoff can even increase
flood rates.
STORMWATER RUNOFF IS RESPONSIBLE FOR

50%

OF NEW JERSEY'S IMPAIRED WATERBODIES


STORMWATER
MANAGEMENT
To offset these negative impacts,
stormwater management exists as
the means and efforts put forth to
mitigate environmental degradation
resulting from urbanization.
GREEN
INFRASTRUCTURE (GI)
The range of measures that use plant
or soil systems, permeable pavement
or other permeable surfaces or
substrates, stormwater harvest and
reuse, or landscaping to store,
infiltrate, or evapotranspirate
stormwater and reduce flows to
sewer systems or to surface waters. .
HOW DOES GI WORK?
Through mimicking the natural
hydrological processes and using
natural elements such as soil and
plants to turn rainfall into a resource
instead of a waste, GI increases the
quality and quantity of local water
supplies and provides myriad other
environmental, economic, and health
benefits—often in nature-starved
urban areas.
 Rain Barrels
Rain barrels are a form of GI that serve to collect and
store stormwater. This prevents it from entering sewer
systems, lowering the stress levels of the systems as well
as reducing runoff.

Why Rain Collection?
While many forms of GI serve to
create a more natural
environment as means to reduce
runoff, rain collection can also
reduce overall water use of a
home.
Example Study
Kloss (2008) analyzed uses of
potable water and found that
58% of typical domestic daily per
capita water use went towards
outdoor uses. Rain barrels are a
great way to source non-potable
water for these uses instead.
Use of Nonpotable Water
Typically, homes use potable
water, or water at drinking
standard, for tasks that don't
require it. This adds demand to
municipal water supplies
whereas water reuse through
rain barrels utilizes nonpotable
water.
Home Use
Water in rain barrels is most
commonly used for small-scale
irrigation of gardens with
potential to save most
homeowners about 1,300 gallons
of water during the peak summer
months.demonstrations.
HOW DO RAIN BARRELS
WORK?

Rainwater that falls on a roof goes into

gutters, and then enters the rain barrel
through the downspout
where it is stored for later use.
Approximately 500 gallons of that
rainwater can come off of an
800-square-foot roof in a one-inch rain
storm, so every gallon of that rainwater
that can be captured in rain
barrels is a gallon of rainwater that
does not flow into a storm drain or a
stream. Though they come In varying
sizes, rain barrels are most often 55
gallons according to NJDEP (2016).
 How to Build a Rain Barrel at Home
Using a 55 gallon plastic barrel, sealant, boiler drain, drill, hole saw, and scissors

STEP ONE STEP THREE

Drill a hole in a 55-gallon plastic barrel
Apply sealant to the inside threading
with screw-top lid using a 1” drill bit 5”
of your boiler drain. Attach an adapter
from the base. Drill just above the
while a helper holds the boiler drain
curve of the barrel. Apply sealant to
from the outside with a wrench.
the threading of a boiler drain and
Repeat for the overflow hole.
screw it into the hole.

STEP TWO STEP FOUR

Level out an area underneath or near
Drill an overflow hole hidden in the
the gutter. Place the barrel. Attach a
back of the barrel 3” from the top using
flex-a-spout to your rain gutter using
a 1” drill bit. Apply sealant to the
the manufacturer’s instructions. Hover
threading on the hex nipple and screw
the other end of the spout over the
it in to the hole.
filter holes.

Source: Home Depot (Link to article with photo examples: https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/diy-rain-barrels/9ba683603be9fa5395fab901916c9a18)

https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=hNi6ZJy16MY
Link to Instructional Video