By Page H. Gifford
Correspondent
Conserving water matters, and for those living in areas like Lake Monticello, where water rates are high, it is a precious commodity. One way to conserve water, particularly for gardening and other outdoor activities, is to use rain barrels.
The James River Association, in partnership with Rivanna-Stormwater Education Partnership, the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, and the Thomas Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District, is hosting a rain barrel workshop at the Cunningham Creek Winery on Friday, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m. At this event, staff members will guide participants in assembling and installing rain barrels at their homes. The registration fee for the workshop is $50, which includes a 55-gallon drum and a RainRecycle rain barrel kit from The Rain Barrel Depot.
Rain barrels are an easy and economical way to water plants and reduce stormwater runoff at home. A single rain barrel can harvest hundreds, even thousands, of gallons of rainwater annually. Residents save money on water bills and, in some localities, reduce stormwater utility fees.
JRA’s mission is to protect and restore the river’s health, connect communities to the river, and offer programs like rain barrel workshops. RSEP educates the community about watershed protection and combines partner resources for effective outreach.
Whereas JRA is concerned with everyone’s connection to the James River and its environmental protection, RSEP is concerned with the Rivanna, but the partnership addresses issues that threaten the natural existence and protection of all area rivers and their tributaries. Conserving rainwater helps not only save water but also recycle run-off, which could pollute water sources and rivers.
To register, visit https://thejamesriver.org/workshops/, and for more information and other programs, visit https://thejamesriver.org and https://rivanna-stormwater.org/.
