The PA Resources Council is sponsoring a series of Watershed Awareness/Rain Barrel Workshops in eastern and western Pennsylvania.

Rain barrels are a great way to conserve water, to supply non-chlorinated water for gardening, and to keep excess water out of the stormwater system, thus helping to alleviate flooding, water pollution, and combined sewer overflow in Pennsylvania.

Theses workshops address rainwater harvesting as well as water pollution issues and solutions. By catching, storing, and re-directing roofwater for on-site usage, you will take advantage of this free source of precious water while contributing to groundwater recharge and reducing nonpoint source pollution and flooding.

Workshops in Western PA

Participants receive the instructions and hardware to make their own rain barrel and receive a coupon for a $10 discount on a food grade, 55-gallon plastic barrel at Penn Barrel Inc. in New Kensington, PA.

The registration fee is $50/person or $55/couple. Pre-registration is required. Click here to register online or contact Nancy at 412-488-7490 ext. 247 or send email to: atnancym@prc.org.

-- April 8: Ross Township Community Center from 7:00-8:30 p.m.;

-- April 15: Blueberry Hill Park in Franklin Park from 7:00-8:30 p.m.;

-- April 23: Phipps Garden Center from 7:00-8:30 p.m.;

-- April 26: Bedner's Farm & Greenhouse in McDonald, PA from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; and

-- June 2: Phipps Garden Center from 7:00-8:30 p.m. 

Workshops in Eastern PA

PRC is teaming up with the Eastern Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative to provide free workshops to inform residents about stormwater management and water conservation practices. Participants will receive instructions on rain barrel construction, installation, and maintenance as well as a recycled barrel.

A recycled rain barrel will be provided at no charge to the first fifty registered participants (with a limit of one rain barrel per household) thanks to a Growing Greener Grant from DEP. Register here or contact Diana A. at 610-353-1555 ext. 232. Online registration is preferred.

The workshop will be held on April 18 at the Rutledge Borough Hall from 10:00-11:30 a.m.

For more information on many other education and special collection events, visit the PA Resources Council website.

4/13/2015