Tarrant Regional Water District Rain Barrel Education and Scholarship Fundraiser
Overview
- Category: Educational
- Organization Location: Fort Worth, Texas; Tarrant County
- Activity: Provides a rain barrel education program to high school students who then raffle and auction the completed rain barrels to raise money for scholarships.
Background
Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) provided a rain barrel education program to the Marine Creek Land Scholars, a joint venture between Tarrant County College - Northwest Campus and the Fort Worth ISD Marine Creek Collegiate High School, where they learned about water conservation and rainwater harvesting. Fifteen high school students attended the education program held in the fall of 2022 where TRWD provided six 50-gallon barrels, hardware, and gift cards for painting supplies. The students completed and decorated all rain barrels and then held a raffle and auction as part of the Tarrant County College Earth Day festival in April 2023. Through their efforts, they raised $1,250 towards college scholarships for the Land Scholars students. Using the Texas Water Development Board’s Municipal Water Conservation Planning Tool, the TRWD estimates the project can save approximately 9,500 gallons per year with a 15-year expectancy and, with proper management, can result in approximately 142,500 gallons saved over time. The TRWD plans to continue to offer the program as a unique, hands-on education opportunity promoting rainwater harvesting and water conservation.