Contact: Lisa Prcin, 254-774-6008, lprcin@brc.tamus.edu
COPPERAS COVE – “Rainwater Harvesting for Homeowners” is set for 6-8 p.m. on March 29 at the Copperas Cove Public Library, 501 S. Main St.
The event is hosted by the Lampasas River Watershed Partnership, Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board.
“Rainwater harvesting is an innovative and efficient means of utilizing water,” said Lisa Prcin, AgriLife Research watershed coordinator for the Lampasas River Watershed. “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.”
The workshop is free, however participants will have the opportunity to build their own rain barrel to take home for $50. Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful will sponsor $25 of the cost for the first 25 barrels reserved. Preference for the discount will be given to participants who have not received one at a previous program.
Space and barrels are limited, so preregistration is required for the class. Attendees are encouraged to register early to secure a barrel by contacting Prcin at 254-774-6008 or lprcin@brc.tamus.edu.
“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.
Silvia Rhoads, Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful executive director, said, “We are excited to offer this program for the first time in our community. We hope to fill all 25 barrels available and believe in the benefits rainwater harvesting provides.”
“Not only does rainwater harvesting help provide an additional source of water, it also helps mitigate contamination of surface water due to stormwater runoff by allowing the rainwater to be filtered more than if it just drained directly into the local waterways,” Prcin said.
“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.”
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 the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Temple and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, consists of area residents and other stakeholders from across the watershed.
“The partnership has worked diligently to develop a watershed protection plan to address water quality concerns within the watershed by evaluating water quality issues and making recommendations for voluntary pollutant load reductions and management measures,” Prcin said.
More information about the Lampasas River Watershed Partnership and this program can be found at www.lampasasriver.org.
The 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 319(h) grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
-30-
