Local News

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ― Much of the metro area is feeling the lack of rain in the form of drought conditions in our yards and gardens. However, many neighborhoods and communities are turning to an old-fashioned way of conserving water during dry times with rain barrels.

"Fortunately I put this out about a month and a half ago when we had that one really good rain. And it filled up," said Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.

When conditions are dry, he relies on his rain barrel to water his yard plants and vegetable garden.

"We've been able to pretty much just use it all summer from just a normal level of rainfall," said Nelson-Pallmeyer.

However, it's more than a drop in a barrel to him. Nelson-Pallmeyer is directly addressing climate change.

"It's going to aggravate water issues in many ways, both in terms of drought, which I think we're experiencing, as one of those signs," he said. "Also in terms of the rain fall tends to come in torrents rather than in dispersed amounts that you actually want and need."

Nelson-Pallmeyer's name may be familiar to you because he ran against Al Franken in the 2008 DFL Senate primary. But he's also one of hundreds of people in the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis who use rain barrels. The neighborhood has been leading the way in rain barrel use.

"Every water drop falling on every surface has an impact on our environment," said Emily Wergin of Seward Redesign, a community redevelopment corporation. "And people kind of see a way that they can impact what's happening on their small properties that they live on."

"They go pretty quickly," said Mohan Raghubir at the Reuse Center in Minneapolis. It's a non-profit store that sells wooden rain barrels $190, and plastic ones for $80.

"A lot of people here are looking for the rain barrel just to catch water to water garden, wash their car and it's a soft water for sensitive clothes," said Raghubir.

Rain barrels are a simple thing for people concerned about the environment and more.

"We're going to be thinking about water in the same kind of way we're thinking about oil," said Nelson-Pallmeyer.

In fact, 1-inch of rain on 1-square foot of roof would give you a little more than a half gallon of water. So a moderate storm that dumps 1-inch of rain on a 10-by-10 foot roof would produce about 60 gallons.

Many communities and neighborhoods have rain barrel programs. Below is information on programs in a few communities.

Lake Elmo: Lake Elmo is part of a consortium of cities making up the Washington Conservation District which provides educational programs on storm water and water conservation for residents. It also partners with Blue Thumb-Planting for Clean Water to help residents create rain gardens.
Washington Conservation District.

Medina: Medina has been selling rain barrels for the past two years. Rain barrels are available to residents for $75 and non-residents for $85. For more information contact Jodi Gallup at 763-473-8850 or jodi.gallup@ci.medina.mn.us.

Minnetonka: The city of Minnetonka is in the process of developing a rain barrel program with the Recycling Association of Minnesota. The city hopes to implement the program sometime this year.

Eden Prairie: Eden Prairie began having "Build Your Own Rain Barrel" workshops last year. The next one will be on June 27 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at Staring Lake Outdoor Center. Cost: $55. For more information call 952-949-8441.

Apple Valley: The city encourages residents to conserve and protect clean water, and it provides instructions on how to make your own rain barrel on its Web site.

Maplewood: Rain barrels are available to Maplewood residents for $45 and are available at the Maplewood ReUse Center. More information is available for residents by clicking here.

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