[Archived] City Hosts Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop

For Immediate Release: June 25, 2008        
  
City of Alexandria Hosts “Build Your Own Rain Barrel” Workshop,
Saturday, July 12

Interested in saving the environment, living “green,” and protecting the Chesapeake Bay? The City of Alexandria, in partnership with other regional organizations, invites residents to attend a “Build Your Own Rain Barrel” workshop on Saturday, July 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Francis C. Hammond Middle School, 4646 Seminary Drive.

Rain barrels can be placed under your downspouts to capture runoff from the roof. The rainwater you collect can help you save water for use in your yard and house plants, eliminate potential flooding in your basement, and reduce stormwater management costs. The use of rain barrels also helps to decrease the volume of storm runoff, which in turn, helps to moderate stream erosion and the resulting pollution that is impairing the Chesapeake Bay. 

Registration for this workshop is required.  Please visit www.arlingtonenvironment.org/barrel.htm to register online. To register by mail, send your name, phone number, e-mail address, and date of the workshop, along with a check made payable to Rain Barrel Program, Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District (NVSWCD), 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 905, Fairfax, VA 22035. The cost for a build-your-own-barrel is $52 for guaranteed registration with PayPal/credit card payment (includes a $2 processing fee).  If you prefer to send a check, the cost is $50, but be aware that your spot at the workshop will not be confirmed until payment is received. Ready-made barrels are also available for a slightly higher cost.

The workshop is sponsored by the Northern Virginia Rain Barrel Program. Partner organizations and agencies include the City of Alexandria; Arlington County; Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment; Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District; the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; Fairfax County; Fairfax County Public Schools; the City of Falls Church; the Reston Association; and Fairfax County Park Authority. This project received funding from the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Fund provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), via DCR Grant 2007-WQIF-06.

Note: The rain barrels made and sold through this program are capped with fiberglass screen that allows water in, but keeps mosquitoes from getting into the barrel to lay their eggs.  Rain barrel owners may also add half a Mosquito Dunk to the water in the barrel to kill mosquito larvae as an additional measure. Mosquito Dunks can be purchased at most garden supply stores.

For more information about the Rain Barrel Workshops, please contact Jesse Maines, Office of Environmental Quality, Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, at 703.519.3400 ext. 166.