The community can learn how to make their own rain barrel at a building workshop on April 22 that will be hosted at the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden in partnership with the City of Owensboro.
Residents will be able to learn how to build their own barrel. However, the City will not be supplying equipment to build one due to shortages.
Starting at 11 a.m., guests can bring their own barrels, tools and other materials to work alongside the demonstration as they build a 55-gallon rain barrel.
After the workshop, there will be a drawing to give away the barrel built at the demonstration along with a family membership to the Garden.
The barrels can vary in size. Ciera Simon, Stormwater Coordinator for the City of Owensboro, said that during a moderate rain season a 50- to 60-gallon rain barrel will suffice.
“Rain barrels do require a small amount of upkeep to prevent the water from becoming stagnant,” Simon said. “To prevent stagnation from occurring, water from the barrel should be used as often as possible and/or emptied every 10 days.”
Barrels, if taken care of properly, can last for 2 to 3 years.
Simon said that this workshop comes at the perfect time before the spring season gets into full swing and rainfall becomes more prominent.
“With changes in weather patterns, rains are more commonly seen as high-density with short durations. By building a rain barrel, you can capture rainwater in a short duration of time and distribute as needed,” Simon said.
This is beneficial for several reasons, she said, as it recycles the water from previous days and can go toward gardens. It also helps alleviate some water from contributing to localized flooding and stormwater pollution.
The demonstration is free to attend, though the Garden does have admission prices: $5 for adults, $3 for veterans and $1 for children. The demonstration will take place at 11 a.m. under the carport behind the Weatherberry.
