Environmental Services
Rain Barrels
What is a Rain Barrel?
Rain barrels are containers that are connected to your downspouts to capture runoff from the roof. Rain barrels come in various sizes, ranging from 30 gallons to 100 gallons, and can be made of plastic or wood. You can also use a larger container to capture rainwater, such as a cistern.
Rain Barrel Benefits
By installing a rain barrel or cistern at your home you will:
- Reduce flooding in yard or your basement, by collecting the water and using it for watering plants or slowly releasing it and allowing it to sink into the ground.
- Provide your plants with water they will love! Unlike treated water, which is "softened" with dissolved minerals, rain water is naturally soft. The water stored in your rain barrel is better than municipal water for washing your car and watering indoor or outdoor plants.
- Save money and water! Instead of water from the tap or faucet, you can use the water you've saved to keep your home landscape happy and growing. You'll also reduce your municipal water bill!
- Protect the Chesapeake Bay! Water stored in your rain barrel is water that won't rush off into our streams. Instead, as you use the stored rain water around the home and garden, it will absorb slowly into the ground replenishing groundwater supplies. By decreasing the volume of storm runoff, rain barrels also help moderate stream erosion and the resulting pollution that is impairing the Chesapeake Bay.
- View a video about the benefits of rain barrels!
2010 Rain Barrel Workshops
Arlington County provides low cost rain barrels to residents in a partnership program with Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, and other local jurisdictions. Currently, we have distributed over 2,000 rain barrels through this program.
Registration for the 2010 rain barrel workshops is now open (click here to register!)
Rain Barrel FAQs
Check out a video of someone installing a rain barrel!
What do the rain barrels look like and where do you get them?
The rain barrels are made from black plastic barrels that were used to hold pickles, peppers, olives or onions. During the workshops, the barrels are recycled into rain barrels. The barrels are purchased from various suppliers by the truckload.
How large are the rain barrels?
The rain barrels hold approximately 50 gallons. They are 23 inches wide. The range from 41.25 inches to 43.75 inches tall.
Will I get mosquitoes in my rain barrel?
The rain barrels are capped with fiberglass screen that allows water in, but keeps mosquitoes from getting into the barrel to lay their eggs. However, if you are concerned about mosquitoes breeding in your rain barrel, you can add a whole or a half of a Mosquito Dunk to the water in your barrel to kill mosquito larvae. Mosquito Dunks can be purchased at most garden supply stores.
Is the water in the rain barrel safe to use in my vegetable garden?
There are differing opinions on this subject. Rain barrels that collect water from copper roofs or from roofs where wooden shingles or shakes have been treated with CCA (chromated copper arsenate) to prevent moss or algae growth should not be used on edible plants. If you have treated your roof with chemicals or installed zinc strips to prevent moss or algae growth, you should also not use the water in your rain barrel in your vegetable garden. Other considerations include the potential for air pollution in your area. Water flowing from your roof can contain deposited air pollutants. However, this water may end up in your vegetable garden anyway. No matter what you decide, make sure to wash all your garden produce thoroughly before you eat it!
Who is working with Arlington County on the rain barrel program?
The following organizations and agencies: Clean Virginia Waterways, Arlington County, Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, Fairfax County Public Schools, the City of Alexandria, the City of Falls Church, the Reston Association, Fairfax County Master Gardeners, Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, and Audubon at Home, a program of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia, and numerous individual volunteers! Thank you to all of you who are giving your time and resources to this program.
How do I install the rain barrel?
The rain barrel is placed beneath your downspout to collect rainwater from the roof. You will probably want to place some bricks or concrete blocks under the rain barrel to elevate it, and then cut the downspout and direct the water into the rain barrel. Please view the rain barrel installation brochure for more information. There are also some diverters that you can connect to your downspout, which direct the flow either into the rain barrel or in the downspout. Please view this rain barrel accessories sheet for more information.
Places to Get Rain Barrels
Can't wait for your rain barrel? There are many retailers online offering rain barrels. Although we cannot recommend a particular retailer, you can do a web search for "rain barrel" or check out some of these links:
Composters.com (various types of rain barrels available)AquaBarrel (local rain barrel company in DC area that provides installation services)
Novabarrel.com (If you would like to purchase a barrel and make your own rain barrel, check here)
Eagle Peak Containers (very affordable rain barrels).
Aaron's Rain Barrels
Arlington Echo Outdoor Center (despite the name, they are not in Arlington County - they are near Annapolis).
Rain Bench
DC Urban Gardeners Rain Barrel Round Up
Gutter attachment to direct water to garden bed.
Urban Garden Center
Clean Air Gardening
