What Rain Barrels Can Do

These rain barrels were painted by local artists for the “Rain Barrel Reveal ’07”, an awareness-builder and fundraising event sponsored by JRBP with SRAC. Using their talents, these artists transformed these plain barrels into works of art.

Rain barrels are one of the easiest ways individuals can make a difference in the quality of our waterways. It sounds crazy, but it’s true.

Rain falls on your property, and where it can, it soaks into the ground. That water helps recharge the water table, but the rest of the water runs off your roof, your driveway, your sidewalk, etc. It goes straight into the gutters or ditches, down the storm drain and into the river. (For more about storm drains, click here.)

All of that water at once can create a bunch of problems. One problen is erosion. The added volume of water has a lot of force, and can move soil from the banks, into the river, choking the invertebrates that live between the rocks. Another big problem is pollution. The water that runs off the surfaces in the city carries with it pet waste, fertilizer, pesticides, road dust, debris, and a host of other things that can turn the river into a toxic mess.

Rain barrels can help keep some of the water out of the river by capturing it before it runs off the property. Not only that, but the captured water can be used for many purposes: gardening, washing cars, watering lawns, to name a few.

There is nothing new about rain barrels, this is old technology, rediscovered. Rain barrels were once used to collect and save water. Everyone had them. Whenever anyone needed some water, they could get it from the barrel. Modern technology made them unnecessary, it's just so much easier to get water from the hose or faucet.

But the water from the hose or faucet comes from our limited supply of water for everything. And that water has to be filtered before it reaches your home, so there is a lot of resources and energy spent on this modern convenience.

With growing concern over our limited resources, rising water bills, and increased volume of run-off from cities, the rain barrel is making a comeback. Consider installing a rain barrel this spring. Attach one to the downspout of your house and watch the barrel fill with free, usable water!

MLK Day Storm Drain Marking Event, Jan 21 POSTPONED

NOTE: Due To Cold Weather, This Event Has Been Postponed Until Further Notice.

So you have the day off, and you are thinking to yourself , “Great, how can I best use this time to serve my community?”

You think hard, but come up empty.

Well, here at Stream Team Flexi #1365 headquarters, we are always thinking, always striving, and we have just the answer for you! Come join us for our “MLK Storm Drain Marking Event” (For more about storm drains, click here)

MLK Storm Drain Marking Event
Where: Meeting in the parking lot by the Discovery Center
(438 E Saint Louis St, Springfield, MO )
When: Monday, January 21, 2008, at 10 a.m.
(Note: Adhesives will work best in dry conditions, over 32 degrees. In case of precipitation or freezing conditions, this event will be cancelled.)


We will start with a short demonstration on how to mark the drain using adhesive and our pre-printed markers right there on the spot. Then, we'll show you locations in Springfield in need of markers. You can choose your spots, take a kit, and mark away! Finally, return the kit and you’re done.

Then you can relax, knowing you’ve made our world a little bit better. Your placement of this gentle reminder about storm water and where it goes will be seen for decades. Dr. King, no doubt, would be proud.