Water ConservationShawna TrarbachCity of Lawrence

Stormwater Quality Technician

Rain BarrelsXeriscapeRain GardensNative and Drought resistant plantsAround the house tips

Rain Barrels• Collects rain water from off of

your roof• Water can be used for almost

anything, just don’t drink it• 1” of rainfall produces .6

gallon of water per square foot. This results in 600-700 gallons of water flowing from the average house during a 1” rain.

Rain Barrel Setup

Overflow

RaisedPlatform

Downspout

HoseBibb

Garden Hose

Water Filter

When setting up and building your barrel it is important to keep in mind where you will put it. This will help determine where you will place the overflow hose and hose bibb.

Rain BarrelsMultiple barrels can be linked together to increase storage or multiple barrels can be set up on different downspouts.

Rain Barrel MaintenancePeriodically remove debris from filter or screenCheck overflow hose for clogsInspect tank for crack or buildup of debris in the

bottomCheck tank fittings for overflow hose and hose bibbIf mosquiots become a problem, add 1 tablespoon

of vegetable oil to water to form film on topWinterize your barrel by either storing it inside a

garage or shed or store it upside down in its location so it will fully drain and remain relatively clean of debris

XeriscapeRefers to landscaping and gardening in ways

that reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental water from irrigation

Xeriscape BenefitsSaves WaterLess MaintenanceNo Fertilizers or PesticidesReduces PollutionProvides Wildlife Habitat

7 Principals of XeriscapingWater ConservationSoil ImprovementCreates Limited Turf AreasUse Appropriate PlantsMulchIrrigateMaintain your landscape

Rain GardensRain Gardens are a landscaped area that receives stormwater runoff from roofs, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and compacted areas. Compared to a conventional lawn, Rain Gardens can allow 30% more water to soak into the ground.

Benefits of Rain GardensFilters runoff pollutantsDeters flooding impactsConserves waterCreates bird/butterfly habitatIncreases aesthetic benefitsRecharge local groundwaterImprove water qualityProtects rivers and streamsRemove standing water in your yardReduce garden maintenance

Native and Drought Resistant Plants

Rudbeckia, Black Eye Susan

Achillea, Yarrow

Blue Flag Iris

Coreopsis, Tickseed

Native and Drought Resistant Plants

Asclepias, Butterfly Flower Salvia,

Sage

Euphorbia, Spurge

Torch Lily, Kniphofia

Native and Drought Resistant Plants

Little Blue StemBuffalo Grass

Kentucky Bluegrass Sideoats Grama

Around the Home TipsCheck faucets and pipes for leaks

A small drip from the faucet can waste 20 gallons of water per day, larger ones can waste hundreds.

Around the Home TipsCheck your toilets for leaks.

Put a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak.

Around the Home TipsTake shorter showers.

A four minute shower uses approximately 20 to 40 gallons of water. One way to cut down that time is to turn off the shower while soaping up and then to turn it back on to rinse.

Turn off the water after you wet your tooth brush.

Around the Home TipsKeep a bottle of water in the fridge.

Running tap water to cool it off for drinking is wasteful. Another option is to use ice cubes if you prefer cold drinking water.

Around the Home TipsPut a layer of mulch around trees and plants

Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth. Adding 2-4 inches of organic material will increase the ability of the soil to retain moisture.

Around the Home TipsWater during the early parts of the day; avoid

watering when it is windy.Early morning is generally better than dusk

since it helps prevent the growth of fungus. Early morning watering helps reduce water loss due to evaporation and it is also the best defence against slugs and other garden pests. Try not to water when it’s windy, wind can blow sprinklers off target and speed up evaporation.

Around the Home TipsDon’t let the hose run while washing your

car.Clean your car using a pail of soapy water. Use

the hose only for rinsing and use a spray nozzle for higher efficiency. This simple practice can save as much as 150 gallons of water.

Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.

Questions?