Description

During the spring of 2009, an Environmental Studies class from Vassar College built these rain barrels to serve as a demonstration site.  Gutters were installed on part of the old cow barns to collect the water.

Site Location

• Site Name: Vassar College Farm & Ecological Preserve
• Address: Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
• Owner: Vassar College
• County: Dutchess
• Watershed: Casperkill Creek
• Land use of site: Ecological Preserve
• Can this site be visited? Yes
• Location on site: Near cow barns, adjacent to parking lot

Practice Details

• Intent of design: Store rainwater from the roof of the barn for reuse
• Size of structure/capacity: Two 55-gallon barrels, 110 gallons total  
• Size of drainage area: 400 square ft
• Plants or materials used: 55-gallon food grade plastic barrels
• Maintenance: Barrels stored indoors during the winter, debris removed from the top screening occasionally 
  Maintained by: Collins Research Fellow, Vassar College Environmental Research Institute

Design/Installation Information

• Design: Vassar College Environmental Studies majors (class of 2009)
• Installation: Vassar College Environmental Studies majors (class of 2009), Vassar College Buildings and Grounds
• Date of installation: May 2009
• Zoning change or special permit required: No
• Project cost: About $95 ($20 for two barrels, $75 for other supplies), plus cost to install gutters
• Form of payment: Purchase order from Vassar College

For Additional Site Information:

Contact: Keri VanCamp, Vassar Farm & Ecological Preserve Field Station Manager
Email: kevancamp@vassar.edu
Phone: (845) 437-7414 or (845) 437-7448