Watershed health, especially in very populous areas, is greatly impacted by the manner in which we manage stormwater runoff. As you will hear and see in this video podcast, it's not the rain that's the problem. It's what happens to it once it hits the roofs, parking lots, and myriad other impermeable surfaces we've done such a thorough job of proliferating.

In this podcast, we join Jeff Bergman and Tim Converse of Pittsburgh's Nine Mile Run Watershed Association as they demonstrate proper rain barrel installation on residences in the area as part of the organization's Rain Barrel Initiative.

Rain barrels come in different sizes, colors, and specifications, but the basic principles remain the same: capture and store water from a roof, and then use the water for such applications as gardening or watering your lawn. In doing so, you've kept stormwater out of the storm sewer system, which in many urban areas in Pennsylvania and beyond, is horribly overtaxed as-is. Plus you're saving money on water usage.

Stormwater overflows are more and more commonplace, as sewer infrastructure is stretched far beyond capacity, and as the systems designed and installed many decades ago fail and decay. Helping to stem the tide in watersheds like Pittsburgh's Nine Mile Run dramatically help to improve water quality in the streams, benefiting everyone in the community-- humans and wildlife alike.

Of course, Pittsburgh isn't the only place where you'll find rain barrels popping up all over the place! Throughout the state, there are programs and initiatives underway. And many people simply make their own rain barrels, and have done so for ages. In arid states, capturing stormwater runoff is even required to help save water. Give it a try!

To learn more about how PennFuture is working around the state to improve water quality, visit our Web site. There you can make a tax-deductible contribution to support our work. As always, we welcome your comments. Just e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org, or click on "Comments" below.