County of Lexington: Lexington Countywide Stormwater Consortium to host Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop
October 16, 2017
The Lexington Countywide Stormwater Consortium will host a “Build Your Own Rain Barrel” Workshop on Friday, November 3, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in an effort to educate citizens on rainwater harvesting and stormwater conservation.
Representatives from the consortium will be on hand to present information on stormwater runoff, rainwater conservation and harvesting, before helping each attendee construct their own rain barrels to take home.
Check-ins will begin at 8:45 a.m. at Lexington County Emergency Medical Services Headquarters, located at 407 Ball Park Road, and the workshop will be held shortly after at the Lexington County Public Works garages, located at 440 Ball Park Road.
Rainwater harvesting is simply the capture of rainwater on your property for reuse. Rain barrels typically collect runoff from a roof. This water can then be used to water a garden, wash a car, or a variety of other uses.
Stormwater runoff occurs when impervious surfaces such as buildings and pavement prevent the natural infiltration of rainwater into the soil. When stormwater washes into storm drains, it flows directly into our lakes, rivers, and streams; it is not treated at a wastewater treatment plant. The increase in volume of water to streams and creeks not only causes erosion, siltation, and flooding, but stormwater picks up a variety of pollutants and deposits them into local waterways that also serve as drinking water and recreational resources.
The cost to attend the workshop and make a rain barrel is $25. To register for the workshop, contact Tina Blum, Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District, at (803) 359-3165 ext. 3, or [email protected]
