Ingham Conservation District Invites EL Residents & Businesses to Rain Barrel Workshop

Above: REACH students decorate donated barrels

Ingham Conservation District is hosting a rain barrel workshop for residents and businesses in Ingham County on Saturday, May 19 from 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM at their Mason office.

Attendees will turn recycled 55-gallon plastic drums decorated by students from REACH Studio Art Center, in REO Town, into functioning rain barrels. Individuals and businesses interested in receiving a rain barrel from the workshop must agree to install it in a publically visible location to showcase the value of rain water collection and improved water quality.

During the two-hour workshop participants will learn about water quality issues impacting our local waterways, and how rain barrels can be utilized to reduce pollution as well as assembling the rain barrels.

Rain barrels collect water that would otherwise run across roofs, streets and yards and carry pollutants and sediments to our rivers and streams. They offer numerous benefits including reducing the amount of storm water runoff that enters lakes and streams and improving landscapes. Rainwater is beneficial because it is naturally “soft” and devoid of the hard minerals, chlorine and other chemicals found in city water.

“We are excited to offer this unique opportunity to residents and businesses in Ingham County. Currently we have rain barrel requests from Lansing, Holt, Okemos and Mason but we would really like to have representation in East Lansing,” said Michelle Beloskur, Executive Director of Ingham Conservation District.

This opportunity was made possible with the support of the River Network and the Coca-Cola foundation. Coca-Cola donated its used beverage syrup drums to be repurposed into rain barrels. The barrels do not contain any harmful chemicals that could negatively impact water quality, but it is recommended that you do not water fruits and vegetables directly with water collected via rain barrels, but water the soil around the plants instead.

The workshop will take place Saturday, May 19 from 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM at the Ingham Conservation District office located at 1031 W Dexter Trail in Mason. Tools and equipment will be provided at the event.

Registration is required and is available via the Ingham Conservation District website. If you have questions about whether you or your organization qualify for this event, or if you believe you need more than one barrel, please contact Ingham Conservation District at 517-676-2290.