- Writer: Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, adam.russell@ag.tamu.edu
- Contact: Lisa Prcin, 254-774-6008, lprcin@brc.tamus.edu
COPPERAS COVE – A Rainwater Harvesting for Homeowners program will be held from 6-8 p.m. March 30 in Copperas Cove.
The class will be at the Copperas Cove Public Library, located at 501 S. Main St.
The program is a collaborative effort among Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the Lampasas River Watershed Partnership, Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board.
The workshop is free, but participants can build their own rain barrel to take home for $50. Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful is sponsoring $15 of the cost for the first 25 barrels reserved.
“Rainwater harvesting is an innovative and efficient means of utilizing water,” said Lisa Prcin, AgriLife Research watershed coordinator for the Lampasas River Watershed, Temple. “This process collects rainwater, stores it and uses it when needed. It is extremely useful as it lessens the demand on existing water supplies and saves for times when it is needed. It also reduces flooding, erosion and contamination of surface water.”
Space and barrels are limited so preregistration is required for the class. Register early to reserve a barrel by contacting Prcin at 254-774-6008 or lprcin@brc.tamus.edu.
Prcin said rainwater harvesting not only provides an additional source of water, but it helps mitigate contamination of area waterways and surface water. Rainwater harvesting was identified by the Lampasas River Watershed Partnership as a way for homeowners to help improve water quality in the watershed.
This workshop is part of the outreach and education strategy of the Lampasas River Watershed Protection Plan, she said.
“Participants will learn about the benefits of rainwater harvesting and how to build an effective system,” said Dotty Woodson, AgriLife Extension water resources specialist, Dallas, who will be teaching the class.
The Lampasas River was identified for watershed protection plan development due to concerns about elevated levels of bacteria, as reported in the 2002 Texas Water Quality Inventory, published by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The Lampasas River watershed includes parts of Mills, Hamilton, Lampasas, Coryell, Burnet, Bell and Williamson counties.
The Lampasas River Watershed Partnership, facilitated by AgriLife Research – Blackland Research Center and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, consists of area stakeholders from across the watershed.
More information about the Lampasas River Watershed Partnership and this program can be found at http://www.lampasasriver.org.
Light refreshments will be served.
Facilitation of the Lampasas River Watershed Partnership and development of the watershed protection plan is funded by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board through a Clean Water Act grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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