My roof is pretty small-is it even worth me getting a rain barrel?
I don't like the color-can I paint my barrel?
Are there any other ways I can 'disguise' my barrel?
Can I drink the water from my rain barrel?
When should I disconnect my rain barrel in the fall? And re-connect it in the spring?
I want to get a single rain barrel right now, but might want to add another barrel to the same system later-can I do this?
How do I clean the inside of the rain barrel?
How many barrels has Sustain Dane installed and distributed in Wisconsin?
Why is stormwater bad for the lakes-doesn't water help the lakes?
How much does the barrel weigh when it is full?

My roof is pretty small-is it even worth me getting a rain barrel?
Generally speaking, yes. 1" of rain on a 1000 square-foot roof will generate about 600 gallons of runoff. To calculate the amount of water that will run off your roof in a rain event, multiply the square footage of your roof by 600, then divide by 1000. Our barrels are 55 gallons, and they fill surprisingly quickly in a decent rain.
back to top

I don't like the color-can I paint my barrel?
The barrels are made from high-density-polyethylene (HDPE), which is notoriously hard to get paint to stick to. We have not found an environmentally-friendly paint that will adhere to the barrel. There are, however, spray-paint companies that make a paint specifically for plastics (Krylon's "Fusion").
back to top

Are there any other ways I can 'disguise' my barrel?
We recommend placing 'chicken-wire' around your barrel and training some sort of native vining plant up the wire. Some people have built aesthetically-pleasing enclosures for the barrel. Another option is to site the barrel hidden among bushes/shrubs to make it less noticeable.
back to top

Can I drink the water from my rain barrel?
Absolutely not.
back to top

When should I disconnect my rain barrel in the fall? And re-connect it in the spring?
You should disconnect your rain barrel before the first hard freeze. If you empty all water out of your barrel, you can keep it attached for a few weeks more, just make sure you are completely emptying it out every time it fills.

You should wait until the first good rain of the springtime has fallen before reattaching your rain barrel. The first good rain will flush considerably more debris from the roof and gutters than subsequent rains. Attaching your rain barrel before this point will increase the chances of clogging.
back to top

I want to get a single rain barrel right now, but might want to add another barrel to the same system later-can I do this?
Yes-every diverter is set-up for a tandem (two barrels on one downspout) rain barrel system. If you desire a single rain barrel, plug one of the adapters and only utilize one barrel. If you wish to add another barrel to the first later on, simply uncap the adapter and add a hose and a barrel.
back to top

How do I clean the inside of the rain barrel?
We recommend washing the barrel when disconnecting it for the season. Use an environmentally-friendly solution of 2 tsp. of castile soap + 2 tsp. vinegar or lemon juice per gallon of water for cleaning, swishing the solution around inside the barrel then rinsing the inside of the barrel with a garden hose. A concentrated nozzle spray will work well to remove residue from the inside of the barrel.

If you require further cleaning measures, call 608-316-6844 for information regarding renting a 'barrel brush' from Sustain Dane.
back to top

How many barrels has Sustain Dane installed and distributed in Wisconsin?
Over 400, in 30 different municipalities.
back to top

Why is stormwater bad for the lakes-doesn't water help the lakes?
It isn't the water that falls directly from the sky onto the lakes that is the problem-it is the stormwater that flows over impervious surfaces and ends up flowing into the lakes fast, hot, and dirty. It can pick up pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides, detergents, trash, invasive plant seeds, automotive liquids like motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, leaves, grass clippings, etc. All of these things have detrimental effects on the quality of the water in the lakes.
back to top

How much does the barrel weigh when it is full?
About 450 lbs., not counting the weight of the cinder block base.
back to top