How to use the Alabama Rain Barrel Project to reach your community with the Non-point Source Message

 What is the Alabama Rain Barrel Project?  How do you build a rain barrel?  How do I reach the community through this project?

Education project that educates attendees about non-point source pollution. On the ground project that use rain barrels to capture and slow stormwater.

An area that drains into a particular body of water such as a stream, river or lake.

Water Cycle

Land Cover Changes

More Runoff Arriving Faster Courtesy NEMO, Univ. of CT

NPS pollution cannot be pinpointed to a single source. Over time, pollutants from our everyday activities accumulate on the land. Examples of NPS pollutants include pet feces, gasoline, fertilizer, pesticides, and even soil. NPS pollution is a problem when rainfall or heavy irrigation carries sediments and dissolved chemicals to waterways in stormwater runoff.

Stream that doesn’t meet the water quality criteria that has been designated for the stream. Catoma Creek Catoma Creek is classified as a Fish & Wildlife Stream and is listed as an impaired stream because of low dissolved oxygen/organic enrichment and for pathogens. Source is listed as urban runoff and agriculture.

Three Major Components: Inlet Outlet Overflow

Inlet: We have standardized on an open top barrel. This barrel can be used with gutters or without. 1.Cut 3-4 large holes in the top of the barrel. 2.Cut a 3’ x3’ section of screen 3.Attach screen using a 4’ bungee cord Phillip Payne PM Photography, Inc Phillip Payne PM Photography, Inc

Overflow: The overflow should be located near the top of the barrel. We are using sump pump hose to direct the flow away from the house—hopefully to a rain garden. 1.Use drill with hole saw attachment to drill a 1-1/2” hole. 2.Cut 6’-8’ section of hose 3.Insert hose in hole.

Outlet: We are using a ¾” male brass hose bibb. 1. Drill a 1” hole near the base of the barrel. Keep drill bit straight and level. 2. Wrap plumbers tape around the threads of the barrel. 3. Screw hose bibb into hole. 4. Caulk around hose bibb.

Coca-Cola Enterprises built 50 barrels to donate to LAMP LAMP students will paint and sell 40 barrels Students will donate 10 barrels for community use

Held workshops for Montgomery County Master Gardeners and Elmore County Master Gardeners. Elmore County Master Gardeners set up a second workshop Montgomery County Master Gardeners are hosting the annual statewide Master Gardener conference and have will sponsor a make-and-take workshop. Working with Montgomery County Master Gardeners to formalize their assistance with this project through outreach and workshop assistance.

In conjunction with stream restoration project, spoke with six neighborhood groups to explain stream restoration and advertise rain barrel workshops. Held 6 workshops at church adjacent to stream site.

Spoke to multiple garden clubs Spoke to church Spoke to Montgomery Clean City Commission Spoke to Montgomery Tree Committee Looking for a group(such as Boy Scouts or Environmental Club at high school or college) to build rain barrels to sell barrels to those who cannot come to workshop

Contact: Ashley Henderson A project of the Alabama Clean Water Partnership with World Wildlife Fund and Coca-Cola Enterprise/Montgomery