Arlington Water Utilities is very grateful to the Arlington Sunrise Rotary Club for their generous contribution of service for the construction of the Rainwater Harvesting and Raised Bed Educational Exhibit at the South Service Center, located at 1100 S.E. Green Oaks Blvd.

The educational exhibit was built on Saturday, March 9, and consists of seven 50-gallon rain barrels, two raised bed gardens, two recycled plastic benches and a drip irrigation system. The exhibit provides residents a resource to demonstrate hands-on practical solutions on rainwater harvesting, vegetable gardening and efficient irrigation technology and practices.

With drought conditions persisting, water supply and conservation is an issue residents are concerned about. Rainwater harvesting provides the ability to catch free rainwater, and use the water for outdoor uses such as landscape, garden or potted plant watering.

Residents are also concerned with living healthier lives through increased activity and better food choices. The raised bed gardens demonstrate a variety of vegetables and herbs that can be grown relatively easily. The gardens are also watered through a drip irrigation system from the rain barrels and a three inch mulch layer helps retain soil moisture reducing the amount of water needed.

The exhibit will hold free classes and offer information residents can use to save money and eat healthier. The first event at the Rainwater Harvesting and Raised Bed Educational Exhibit will be a "How to Make a Rain Barrel' class on Saturday, April 13, from 9-10 a.m.

Arlington Sunrise Rotary Club Volunteers

(Pictured below)

Bottom row: Karen Hirst, Dub Hirst

Back row left to right: David Berg, Don Mims, Matt Hines, Jack Thornton

(Not pictured)

Steevy Cocauthrey, Penny Hines, Debbie Hogan, Tom McGrew, Robin Schmidt, James Watson

FREE SPRING CLASSES

Arlington Water Utilities is offering free workshops to help promote water conservation. Here are the next classes being offered:

How to Make a Rain Barrel

Saturday, April 13, 9.10 a.m. Free

Water Utilities South Service Center, 1001 S.E. Green Oaks Blvd. (Outside)

This program will discuss the basics of rainwater harvesting and the benefits it can provide to a residential property. A demonstration on building a 50 gallon rain barrel and material parts list to build your own barrel will be provided.

Drip Irrigation Do It Yourself

Tuesday, April 23, 6-8 pm

Southwest Branch Library, 3311 S.W. Green Oaks Blvd.

This program teaches how to install a drip irrigation system from your faucet or how to convert an existing system to drip. Drip irrigation is the most efficient irrigation method and essential to sustainable landscapes. Drip irrigation for foundation watering will also be covered.

How to Make a Rain Barrel

Saturday, May 4, 9.10 a.m. Free

Downtown Arlington Farmer's Market, 215 E. Front Street

This program will discuss the basics of rainwater harvesting and the benefits it can provide to a residential property. A demonstration on building a 50 gallon rain barrel and material parts list to build your own barrel will be provided.

For more information and to register for the class, please contact Dustan Compton at [email protected] or 817-459-6628.