Concordia's Rainbarrel Man Helps Portlanders Save Water on a Rainy Day

Update: Rainbarrel Man has moved to new digs in Kenton.

As I sit down to write this article, it's raining. A friendly reprieve from summer's blazing heat of the past few weeks—heat which I enjoy, crave, and need to coax my tomatoes to red and yellow—this late summer rain is actually welcome and refreshing. My garden loves it; I won't have to water today. And, my neighbor, the Rainbarrel Man loves it, too. I zip past his display garden on my bike all the time, but have never ventured in. Last week I finally did; I met John Elliotte, the owner of The Rainbarrel Man Company, at his shop and got down to talking rain barrels and water collection and conservation.

Elliotte began making barrels for rain collection about a decade ago. He was working for another company that had some barrels he could use to store his tools; he did so, and stashed the barrels behind a tree at his old Victorian house, which quickly filled with rainwater. Ta-da! An idea was born. Well, not exactly. He had, of course, seen rain collection systems before, but thought they were ugly and inefficient. Something told him he "could do better than that."

And, he has. With both functionality and design in mind, over the years, he and his partner David Clark have created quality designs and systems that work well for consumers wishing to install attractive rain collection devices in their yards. Each and every system is unique, and has improved upon his original set-up, which is on display in his rain barrel display garden at 5024 3/4 NE 30th Avenue, just north of Alberta Street. A new feature of the barrels, we observe, is the custom mitering of each barrel stave and a dado channel to expertly hold the metal banding in place on the barrel.

The open and closed systems offer wood clad, steel banded barrels with hand built lids, stands, and screens. Popular garden drip systems constructed with 60 gallon barrels use one gallon of water per hour to easily and efficiently water a 150 square foot garden. Cost effective diverters systems are also available, as are instructions for your own installation pleasure. Elliotte says he enjoys it when customers wish to install their own kits, as getting into the whole process is really a good time, apparently. (We'll see about that—my own rain barrel project has been lying dormant, stalled in my side yard since last fall. I'm now newly inspired.)

Conservation is an important theme that actually extends beyond water collection. The Rainbarrel Men purchase salvaged timber from private land areas—for example, they were able to get enough Fir from the Mt St. Helens "blow down" that was then made into 20 rain barrels. Barrel liners are made from recycled food-grade polyethylene. Metal bands and pieces that other companies won't use find a good home on a rain barrel. Recycled, reused, and repurposed wood and materials are gems that Elliotte seeks out for his systems. "As a child, my parents taught me the value of re-use. Everything that could be recycled was re-used time and time again."

When he first started out, Elliotte made only two systems in two years. Now, "ten years later, I still feel really special doing what I'm doing." It's obvious that he greatly enjoys his work, and noteworthy is the DIY spirit and connection he experiences with his customers, many of whom are repeats and referrals. Because of this feel-good approach, the company has been able to extend beyond Northeast Portland by building systems that are in use all over Oregon, Washington, California, and Idaho.

Stormwater Management in Portland

Harvesting rainwater helps conserve and protect this vital resource and saves money by reducing your storm water bill. (Fun facts: One inch of rain on a 1000 square feet surface provides nearly 600 gallons of water. You could easily capture enough water to fill a 55-galloon rain barrel in two to three hours of rainfall.) The City of Portland offers incentives for residential as well as business stormwater management and downspout disconnection.

Clean River Rewards is the utility discount program that allows participants to manage stormwater on their property to receive up to 100% discount on their bill. The program also offers workshops and public events geared to help people sign up for rewards, install systems, and disconnect downspouts. See the web site for the current schedule of events and workshops in your neighborhood.

What's so bad about stormwater runoff anyway?

Stormwater management helps protect rivers, stream, and groundwater from damaging effects of runoff. When it rains, as it is today, water flows from our roofs, roads, parking lots, patios, and sidewalks, contributing to stream pollution and habitat destruction. Such destruction costs Portland "millions of dollars to manage each year. By properly self-managing stormwater on your property, you help mimic nature and reduce stormwater's damaging effects."

Downspout disconnection programs also teach residents how to easily divert the water runoff that flows from our rooftops to our sewers, which can and do overflow. Because Portland's sewer system is one that combines sewage and stormwater in the same pipes, when it fills up, the overflow often carries sewage along with the stormwater into the Willamette. (Yuk.) Managing your home's rooftop runoff to water your garden and lawn is a great way to avoid this potentially nasty and costly overflow. For more information on this easy "program" click here. Clean water and healthy watersheds help create a more livable environment for us all. We, perhaps, all know this, but many of us do not realize the simple changes we can make around our homes and yards to encourage this effort.

Surfrider is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of our beaches, oceans, and waves. This grassroots group offers many educational and action-based programs and events; one of the most popular and needed is its Storm Drain Marking program, which began in California years ago, quickly spanned the coasts, and has a strong presence locally. (Our Portland Chapter Surfrider is a thriving and fun group. Join.) The program involves marking storm drains in our streets to notify neighbors that the drains actually carry whatever goes down it to our streams, streams, and oceans. (In Monterey, California some stencils read: Don't Dump: Flows to Bay.) This awareness-raising campaign has made an impact in many communities, teaching people that they shouldn't dump, well, anything down a storm drain. (Remember the hopefully long-gone days of pitching motor oil down drains? Double yuk.). Volunteerism and community building is also a key value of this organization, and the Storm Drain Marking programs get neighbors out and about together for a great cause. See how you can get involved.

Motivated to manage your water? Even though the sun is trying to burn a hole in today's clouds, we all know our rainy season is on its way, making this a great time to rethink your yard's water usage needs—and do something about it.