The James River Steward’s Almanac

Water Conservation

Be a Friend of the River….install a rain barrel.

Stormwater coming off your roof drives pollutants like sediment and nutrients into the James River. Keeping that water on your property helps you and the river. By building and installing a rain barrel that catches the water coming out your downspout, you create a reserve of water for taking care of your lawn and garden during a dry spell. You reduce runoff pollution and drinking water consumption all at once.

Learn More:

1. JRA’s Homeowners Resource page tells you how: >>

2. Also check out JRA’s Calendar of Events for a Rain Barrel Workshop on May 5, 2010

Be a Guardian of the River….install a rainwater harvesting system.

In Virginia, we receive an average of 45.2 inches of rain fall each year. That calculates into approximately 52,000 gallons of runoff from just one average sized (2,400 square feet), single-family home per year. All of this can become stormwater runoff pollution if it isn’t captured and soaked into the ground. Large-scale rainwater harvesting systems allow you to take advantage of winter and spring rains by storing the water until the summer when your landscaping and garden need it. You will be conserving water and reducing pollution on a large scale with one of these systems. Systems can be installed above and below ground, in commercial and residential settings.

Learn more:

A Rainwater Harvesting Manual from the VA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation >>

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