Article Text
Northern Virginia’s humid, flood-prone summer reflects a broader shift toward more intense rainstorms as rising temperatures put additional moisture into the atmosphere.
The Washington region has alternated between oppressive heat and periods of showers and heavy downpours. By mid-July, rainfall was 3.8 inches above the average for that point in the year, according to Rene Bourassa of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin.
Fairfax County’s resiliency plan warns that the county is already experiencing more severe storms, increased flooding and intensified extreme heat. The plan describes climate change as a “threat multiplier” that makes hazardous conditions more frequent and severe.
Dr. Edward Maibach, George Mason University’s director of Climate Change Communication, has called more intense Virginia rainstorms the “new normal.” He explained that higher temperatures increase evaporation, leaving more moisture in the atmosphere and raising the likelihood of powerful downpours.
Capturing Rain at Home
Rain barrels cannot prevent the kind of flooding the region has recently experienced, but they can capture runoff for later use and reduce the amount of water immediately entering local streams.
Typically installed beneath a home’s downspout, most residential rain barrels hold between 30 and 100 gallons. A common model holds about 55 gallons and includes a spigot for a hose, along with an overflow line that directs excess water away from the foundation.
Even a sizable barrel can fill quickly. One inch of rain falling on a 1,000-square-foot roof can produce about 300 gallons of runoff.
Stored rainwater can be used for lawns and gardens, washing cars, cleaning exterior windows and other outdoor tasks. That can lower household water bills and ease demand on the public supply, particularly during dry periods. Some estimates indicate that outdoor activities account for as much as 40 percent of water use.
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District says rainwater is naturally soft and can be better than treated municipal water for watering plants and washing vehicles.
Rain barrels may also help reduce pollution and erosion. Runoff from roofs, roads and other hard surfaces can carry contaminants into waterways, while sudden surges can erode streambanks, strip vegetation and deposit sediment.
Fairfax County assessments found that 76 percent of county streams were in fair to very poor condition in 2024, indicating widespread impairment and limited biological diversity. Holding even a portion of stormwater on-site can slow its path into those streams.
Rain barrels have practical limits. Their supply depends on the weather, and untreated rainwater should only be used outdoors. Barrels may overflow during heavy storms, so owners can empty them before significant rainfall. Water left inside can also freeze during prolonged cold weather.
Fairfax Workshop Offers Take-Home Barrels
A build-your-own rain barrel workshop is scheduled for Aug. 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Green Acres Community Center, 4401 Sideburn Road in Fairfax.
Participants can assemble a barrel to take home and learn about its care and maintenance. Registration is required and costs $55 per barrel, including materials and supplies.
The approximately 50-gallon barrels are about 23 inches wide and between 41.25 and 43.75 inches tall. Organizers advise that most vehicles can carry no more than two.
The workshop is sponsored by the City of Fairfax Environmental Sustainability Division and the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District.