Village of Elm Grove Beautification Committee RAIN BARRELS Preserving the Environment with:

Rain Barrel Stats: - 55 gallons of storage - 23" diameter (approximately) - 55 gallons of storage - 23" diameter (approximately) - 36" tall - 36" tall Built To Last. These recycled barrels - which originally contained soda syrup - are made of thick durable plastic. Automatic Overflow. The overflow valve located on the upper part of the barrel diverts excess rain to a nearby garden, additional barrel, or distant area. Accessories you may want to consider purchasing (not included). - Standard garden hose for brass threaded spigot - soaker hose - Standard garden hose for brass threaded spigot - soaker hose - Sump pump hose for connection to the extra automatic overflow valve - Stand to elevate rain barrel - Sump pump hose for connection to the extra automatic overflow valve - Stand to elevate rain barrel (available at most hardware stores) Suggestion: use concrete cement blocks to elevate your barrel.

Automatic Overflow. The overflow valve located on the upper part of the barrel diverts excess rain to a nearby garden, additional barrel, or distant area - Connect a second or third barrel with overflow valve's – OR -Connect a Sump pump hose to the extra automatic overflow valve ( available at most hardware stores - Elevate your rain barrel for better water flow. Suggestion: use concrete cement blocks to elevate your barrel.

RAIN BARRELS COME IN DIFFERENT STYLES. This “pickle barrel style” is also available upon request or at select locations. LINE ‘EM UP: for weeks of clean fresh “free water”!

RAIN BARRELS CAN ADD INTEREST to your home. Placement and creativity can make your Rain Barrel special.

RAIN BARRELS ARE PAINTABLE.

Convenient locations to pick up your Rain Barrel(s): MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO At the large or Main gift shop West Blue Mound Road Milwaukee, WI Ph (414) MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO At the large or Main gift shop West Blue Mound Road Milwaukee, WI Ph (414) Tell the parking attendant that you have come to pick up your Rain Barrel's, and you will be allowed in without paying the parking fee. HAWKS NURSERY West Watertown Plank Road Wauwatosa, WI Ph (414) HAWKS NURSERY West Watertown Plank Road Wauwatosa, WI Ph (414)

RAIN BARREL INSTALLATION AND CARE Installation: 1. Place concrete blocks where you decide to install your Rain Barrel. Check for level placement. 2. The higher the barrel is off the ground, the more water pressure you will get out of the hose that you connect to the bottom faucet on the Rain Barrel. Place your Rain Barrel on the blocks. “I use 4 concrete blocks which provides great pressure.”, Dawn

RAIN BARREL INSTALLATION AND CARE 3. Determine where your downspout will connect to the Rain Barrel. Don't forget to account for any attachments needed, especially if you have a round downspout going into the square barrel insert. 4. Mark the downspout where you need to cut it.

RAIN BARREL INSTALLATION AND CARE 5.Test where the height of your Rain Barrel is. CAREFULLY cut your downspout with a hacksaw OR remove the screws at your downspout connection and attach a flexible downspout or attach different downspout angled connections. 6.Attach your barrel to the downspout.

RAIN BARREL INSTALLATION AND CARE Make sure you direct the hose away from the foundation of your home so you don't cause water problems in your basement. Enjoy free water by the barrel! 7.Connect a garden hose to the faucet on the bottom of the barrel and use water when needed. 8. Automatic Overflow. The overflow valve located on the upper part of the barrel diverts excess rain to a nearby garden, additional barrel, or distant area.

RAIN BARREL INSTALLATION AND CARE Winterizing: To prevent your barrel from cracking in the winter, take it inside or turn it upside down to keep water out. Make sure you reconnect your downspout to temporary tubing to move rain or melting snow away from your foundation. We recommend that you run downspouts or tubing at least 6 to 10 feet away from your house. Winterizing: To prevent your barrel from cracking in the winter, take it inside or turn it upside down to keep water out. Make sure you reconnect your downspout to temporary tubing to move rain or melting snow away from your foundation. We recommend that you run downspouts or tubing at least 6 to 10 feet away from your house.

Another presentation by Elm Grove Beautification Committee 2010 Producer: Dawn Balcom Elm Grove Beautification Committee Member