Rain Barrel Workshop Thursday

Rutgers University will partner with Manasquan's Environmental Commission Thursday, April 19 to teach residents how to construct and install their own rain barrels at home, officials said.

The presentation, led by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program, will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Manasquan Recreation Annex, 67 Atlantic Avenue, Council President Ed Donovan said in a release.

The program is free to attend for all New Jersey residents, but for a $45 fee participants will receive materials to build their own barrels -- which sell for as much as $100 retail -- to collect rainwater from their roofs (the barrels are placed beneath a gutter's downspout), Donovan said.

Using collected rainwater can save residents money on their water bills, prevent basement flooding, and reduce pollution in local rivers and streams, Donovan said.

The barrels are the size of a 55-gallon drum and can fit laying down in most vehicles' back seats, Donovan said.

"The workshop is part of a research project being conducted by Rutgers Cooperative Extension to help determine whether rain barrels encourage adoption of other environmental best management practices by residents," Donocan said.

Anyone interested is being asked to register online at http://www.water.rutgers.edu. Organizers ask that participants register in advance.

For more information, please contact Sara Mellor at 732-932-9800, ext. 6163, or email her at saramellor@envsci.rutgers.edu.

The Environmental Commission is also collecting donations of non-perishable food for the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties at this event.  Participation is voluntary, but greatly appreciated, Donovan said.