Los Alamos County hosts DIY rain barrel workshop July 30
Residents can turn a used recycling bin into a rain barrel July 30 at the Los Alamos Nature Center for $40, with materials included.
Los Alamos County residents can turn a used recycling bin into a rain barrel for $40, with materials included, at a DIY workshop Thursday, July 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. MT at the Los Alamos Nature Center. The hands-on class is aimed at catching monsoon runoff for later use on gardens and other outdoor plants, while cutting down on treated water use during dry spells.
Pajarito Environmental Education Center is hosting the workshop with the Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities. The barrels will be upcycled from used recycling bins, making the project a low-cost way to store rainwater for non-potable use. A standard 55-gallon barrel holds 55 gallons at a time, enough to keep a small yard, flower beds or young trees supplied between storms.
Los Alamos County entered Stage 2 fire restrictions on May 28 because of ongoing dry conditions and prevailing high winds, and the county’s Water Wait conservation page directs residents, “Harvest rainwater or greywater for use later.” In the county’s 2022-2027 Water and Energy Conservation Plan, DPU's mission is to provide safe and reliable utility services in an economically and environmentally sustainable fashion, and the plan names Abbey Hayward as Water and Energy Conservation Coordinator.
The county’s 2024 annual report credits advanced metering infrastructure with helping DPU staff detect leaks early so homeowners could conserve water.
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