Stop #3: Rain Barrels
Stop #3: Rain Barrels
Check out the blue barrels at each downspout around the Lagoon House. These are rain barrels. They aid in the conservation of fresh water and they reduce the amount of stormwater runoff generated by rain events.
Have you ever thought about how much land is covered by roofs? Roofs increase the amount of impervious surfaces (those that water cannot pass through), therefore creating more runoff.
The first few minutes of a rainfall event are the most polluting, producing a deluge of stormwater that runs along impervious surfaces such as roadways, roofs, and driveways, collecting fertilizers, car oil, grass clippings, and pet waste, before making its way into the IRL. Within the first inch of rainfall, a 100-square-foot roof will produce 60 gallons of water! Rain barrels can help cut down on the amount of water available to pick up pollution.
The average rainfall in Florida is 54 inches a year. A 40 foot by 80 foot roof will produce over 100,000 gallons of FREE water a year. You can use this water for watering lawns and gardens and also for filling bird baths or dog pools. Rain barrels can be joined together to store even more water for your watering needs. You can purchase your own rain barrel here at the Lagoon House.