Adams County Soil & Water Conservation District
338 South 36th Street  Quincy, IL   62301   Phone:  217/224-9305, Ext 3  E-mail:  acsw@adams.net

Best Management Practices Use After Construction

Native Landscaping

Native plants have an unbelievable root system that builds soil quality and increases organic matter content. Native plants are also low maintenance and increase water infiltration. For a listing or pictures of native plants, go to or http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~kenr/prairieplants.html.

Rain Gardens

Rain gardens are perennial gardens with native vegetation that are located to capture water runoff from impervious surfaces (like roofs, driveways and gutters). They are attractive to look at, absorb water, reduce runoff, protect water quality and prevent flooding.

In designing a rain garden, choose a location that is at least 10 feet, but preferably 30 – 40 feet from the house or building. Utilize natural depressions if possible. Rain gardens should be 5 – 10 percent of the size of the impervious area(s) that drain into them. The standard depth for water retention in a rain garden is 6 inches – but keep in mind that the soil’s capability to absorb water runoff will vary, based on soil type and infiltration rates. To improve your soil’s ability to absorb water, you can add compost. Be sure to plant species native to your area and suited to sunlight and soil conditions. Visit http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~kenr/prairieplants.html to see pictures and site suitability information.

How To Build & Install a Rain Barrel

A rain barrel collects and stores rain water from your rooftop. Water collected in a rain barrel would normally flow through your downspout, across paved surfaces and then go into the storm drain. Rain barrels help reduce water pollution by reducing storm water runoff that can contain pollutants like oil, grease, nutrients, pesticides and bacteria. Storing rain water also helps recharge groundwater and can lower water costs. An estimated 1300 gallons of water are gathered in rain barrels during peak summer months. This water can be used for your lawn or garden plants.

Home-made rain barrels are relatively easy to construct from 55-gallon drums and a few other basic components. The following is a simple construction sequence: ¹
1. Drill holes for fittings. First drill three holes in the barrel. One for the spigot to connect your garden hose to the barrel and the other fittings to allow for more barrels in the future. One of the barrels must have an overflow fitting near the top of the barrel. If you plan on using 3/4 inch fittings use a 1 inch hole saw to cut the holes. If you have an adjustable hole saw make it a little smaller than 1 inch.
2. Attach fittings. Place plumbing sealant on a 3/4 inch galvanized metal nipple and its threads. Using a pair of locking pliers, thread the nipple into the barrel hole for the fitting.
3. Cut the down spout at the proper height. You should place the rainbarrel on one or two concrete blocks and then determine the proper height. After cutting the down spout attach the necessary elbows and extensions to have the down spout reach the barrel. Attach a 4 inch by 2 inch ABS plastic converter to the end of the down spout and attach a fine mesh screen over the converter (you can use a paint sprayer filter which you can get at a hardware store for about $1).
4. Add additional barrels. If you wish to add more barrels do so at this time. Attach a garden hose Y fitting on the 3/4 inch nipples. Position the barrels on top of the concrete blocks and cut the right length of garden hose to connect the barrels (with male fittings attached to both ends).
5. End product. Attach an overflow line on the first barrel. Place it near the top of the barrel and attach it to hose or tube for any overflow. Note that you must remove one of the two bung fittings on the top of the barrel and cover it with a small screen.

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