Rain Barrels & Rain Gardens

Examples of rain barrels and gardens in Holyoke, MA and vicinity. Photos by Sandy Ward.

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> A downspout connected to a pipe... Where does this pipe take the water? (unknown) If it goes into the sewer, this should be changed. If it goes into a drywell below, OK to leave as is. Or, install rainbarrel here to capture water for re-use.

> A make-shift channel from gutter to rainbarrel. This Holyoke homeowner collects enough runoff water to use on his fruit trees and lawn. He no longer needs to use city water for irrigation.

> Another Holyoke homeowner collects water from the garage roof. Two barrels are used because of the amount of water available. Hoses ready to deliver the water to lawn or garden.

> The sloped board directs water into the barrel. A simple solution.

> The cap on the rainbarrel prevents mosquito larvae from developing in the stored water. (The hole is usually kept covered --either with the intake hose or with something else.)

> Same barrel -- connected to downspout from roof gutter.

> Same barrel --disconnected (with watering can blocking the top hole). The downspout now is connected to a "brook" that feeds into a "rain garden." The homeowner can decide which way to direct the water.

> Close-up of connection to hose for rain garden. Note the obsolete pipe behind, which used to take the water into the sewage system.

A rain barrel

A rain barrel

A rain barrel

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