Rain Barrel Information
Rain Barrel Frequently Asked Questions
How To Assemble a Rain Barrel
Purchase a Rain Barrel
Winterize Your Rain Barrel:
While the rain barrels sold by Bridging The Gap are made from sturdy plastic it is possible that frozen water could expand and burst the seams of your barrel. Make sure to leave your spigot in the open position so that water does not collect. If you choose to move your barrel indoors remember to replace the missing portion of downspout so that water will drain all the way to ground level.
Purchase a Rain Barrel online or by calling 816-561-1087.
- Plain white barrels - $20 (limit five per month)
- Rain parts kits (all additional pieces needed to assemble a rain barrel) - $30
- Rain barrel workshop (includes price of rain barrel) - $45
- Complete rain barrel - $65
NOTE: Rain barrels must be picked up from 3 Trails Community Recycling Center.
 Bridging The Gap makes house calls!
Do you have a group interested in a rain barrel work shop?
Bridging The Gap can come to you, click here for details.
The Purpose of a Rain Barrel
Using rainwater will improve the condition of your garden or yard and is regularly available for free. The roofs of many houses in the Kansas City area receive 600 to 1,000 gallons of water with just an inch of rainfall. This rainwater hits the roof, flows to the gutters, and pours out of your downspouts into the driveway or yard. With an average of 37” of rainfall per year, tens of thousands of gallons of water could be harvested and used on your garden or lawn, reducing flooding of some rivers and water passages such as the Blue River and Brush Creek. Bridging The Gap offers workshops on how to make a simple rain barrel and harvest some of that water that is so good for your flowers and lawn.
Benefits of Rain Water Harvesting
- Brings first-rate water right to your garden. No chlorine, no calcium carbonate.
- Diverts water away from your house that might otherwise leak into the foundation and potentially case flooding.
- Cuts down on your city water consumption
- Demonstrates water conservation to neighbors, family, and friends.
- Keeps water right where it’s getting used, rather than sending it away to unnecessary treatment.
Rain Barrel Workshop schedule:
To register for a workshop please contact Beau Baker at 816-561-1061(ext. 120) unless otherwise noted.
All workshops held at 3-Trails Community Recycling Center unless otherwise noted.
- March 17, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
- March 25, 6:00 - 7:00 PM (Please note: This workshop is hosted by Communiversity at 3-Trails Community Recycling Center. To register please call 816-235-1448 or go to: http://web2.umkc.edu/commu/
- April 13 7:00 - 8:00 PM (Please note: This workshop is hosted by Communiversity at 3-Trails Community Recycling Center. To register please call 816-235-1448 or go to: http://web2.umkc.edu/commu/
Please contact Beau Baker at beau.baker@bridgingthegap.org for more information.
Rain Barrel Frequently Asked Questions
How To Assemble a Rain Barrel
Rain Barrel workshops include supplies to make the rain barrel. When you are done, you take the barrel with you, set it up, and wait for the rain to fall.
Comments from Rain Barrel Workshop Participants
Bill Arnold, Aquabarrel Rain Barrel:
I would like to recommend your Rain Barrel seminars to everyone in Kansas City and beyond. You have a great presentation that is both informative and fun. At the seminar I attended, I was so inspired by your presentation that I started selling and installing rain barrels myself. I, like you, believe in all the reduce, reuse and recycle possibilities in our everyday lives. These three maxims are exactly what is meant when you create rain barrels from used Pepsi syrup barrels for a functional and environmentally friendly second purpose. Thank you, Beau, for all that you and Bridging The Gap do for our community.
David, Parkville, Missouri wrote this especially for you:
“I set up my rain barrel,
and use it all the time.
My flowers just love it,
and are growing just fine.
Your yard needs one too,
so don't be a sap,
To get your own kit.
call Bridging the Gap.”
Charlene, Raytown, Missouri:
“Just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying my rain barrel! At first, I was frustrated because I didn’t know how I was going to use the water. When it rained and  filled my barrel, everything was wet and didn’t need to be watered. With a full barrel and a new storm in the forecast, I decided to use the water to water my bald cypress trees. They like lots of water! So I wrapped my soaker hose around them, an Ohio buckeye and a new dogwood tree I had planted this spring. A few hours later, they were looking happy! The hot weather had been hard on them. Next day, I got another full barrel which has been very handy watering the flowers on my deck. All summer long, I have been paying to water them, but not now! Tuesday night, I planted some spinach for a fall garden. While watering in my new planted seeds with the water from my barrel, I got the bright(?) idea to hook the hose up to the oscillating sprinkler. The low water pressure was ideal and after moving the sprinkler around a few times, I had watered my whole garden! Thanks again!”
Linda, Kansas City, Missouri:
“The rain barrel is really great! It waters a small cherry
tomato garden and a flower bed which is slightly down hill
from the barrel.”
For more info about rain barrels and rain harvesting, read our Rain Barrel Frequently Asked Questions page, How to Assemble a Rain Barrel page or visit the following websites:
Barrels made possible by a kind donation from
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