School Site Improvements

Flows To Bay installed a 220-gallon 4-barrel BlueBarrel system on the campus of Central Middle School (CMS) in March 2023. The workshop served as an opportunity for new and seasoned rain barrel enthusiasts in the community to learn hands-on about the rain barrel installation process and for the school to increase their capacity to capture stormwater and prevent local stormwater pollution. The rain barrels will provide a sustainable water source for the nearby school garden and will be used to irrigate the existing plants as well as new plants the students are hoping to plant in partnership with Each Green Corner, the organization who donated the 4 barrels to CMS as part of their larger effort to facilitate schoolyard greening in San Mateo County.

Prior to the hands-on installation, the attendees were given a presentation in the school courtyard about stormwater pollution, the basic anatomy of rain barrel systems, and how rain barrel systems function to help prevent pollution. After the presentation, the community members joined together for a hands-on installation workshop to help install the barrels and a new drip irrigation system on campus, led by local rainwater harvesting specialist Chris Corvetti.

The newly installed daisy chain rain barrel system has the potential to harvest over 8,000 gallons of water over the course of a year. Central Middle School will benefit tremendously from this addition of green infrastructure that can help capture, clean and absorb stormwater runoff on campus.

Stormwater pollution prevention starts with you! Not sure where you or your school should start? Flows To Bay is here to help! Reach out to Flows To Bay and we’ll help you get set up with a rain barrel or rain garden project on your campus.

Flows To Bay installed a 220-gallon 4-barrel BlueBarrel system on the campus of Alta Loma School in November 2022. The school was interested in installing this system to help reduce local water pollution and erosion near the school’s parking lot.  The rain barrels will provide a sustainable water source for the nearby school garden and used to irrigate the existing plants as well as new native plants the students are hoping to plant. 

Prior to the hands-on installation, students were given a presentation in the classroom about watersheds, stormwater pollution, and the actions they can take to help prevent pollution. After the presentation, students, teachers, and parents joined together for a hands-on installation workshop to help install the barrels on campus, led by rain barrel specialist Chris Corvetti.

With an average annual rainfall of 22 inches in South San Francisco, the school’s ~1,100sqft area of roof could capture over 15,000 gallons of water, potentially refilling this 220-gallon system 10+ times over the course of the year. 

Flows To Bay installed a 305-gallon cistern on the campus of Belle Haven Elementary School in April 2022. After having a rain garden installed in December 2021, the school wanted to take further steps in making their campus rainwater resilient while finding a sustainable way to irrigate their planter box garden located in the kindergarten yard. 

This installation was led by rain barrel specialist Chris Corvetti, Belle Haven principal Michelle Masuda, and Belle Haven art teacher Allison Philip. 

This installation was performed as part of a community workshop where attendees learned rain barrel basics, how rain barrels prevent stormwater pollution, and rain barrel maintenance best practices. After the presentation, attendees had the opportunity for hands-on learning and actively took part in the installation, where they were able to ask the presenter various rain barrel-related questions.

Flows To Bay installed a 205-gallon cistern on the campus of Laurel Elementary in April 2022. The school was interested in rainwater capture as something that can be shared and discussed with students and to also help make the campus rainwater resilient. A fenced location was chosen that provided easy access to the water spout, but limited access to the rain barrel by the younger students. The location also provided an existing concrete foundation, so no additional foundation preparation was needed. Due to the height of the cistern, earthquake-proof strapping was added for additional stability and support. 

This installation was performed as part of a community workshop where attendees learned rain barrel basics, how rain barrels prevent stormwater pollution, and rain barrel maintenance best practices. After the presentation, attendees had the opportunity for hands-on learning and actively took part in the 2- hour installation where they were able to ask the presenter various rain barrel-related questions.

With the assistance of Joseph Centoni, a teacher and science department chair at Half Moon Bay High School, and his AP environmental science class, Flows To Bay installed a 220-gallon cistern in April 2022. Prior to the installation day with the student, rain barrel specialist, Chris Corvetti, and Mr. Centoni leveled the ground and built a supporting gravel-filled foundation to ensure stability since, once completely full, the cistern will weigh over 1,800 pounds.

The students also began installing a new native garden which will be watered by the cistern and its overflow once completed. The cistern will also help water surrounding park plants. 

This is the first cistern installation that utilized underground piping to connect the nearby downspout to the rain barrel. Mr. Centoni will use the rain barrel and garden as part of his class teachings.

Flows To Bay installed a rain garden on the campus of Belle Haven Elementary in December 2021. Representatives from C/CAG, the Ravenswood School District, and Climate Resilient Communities, met in June 2021 to visit the schools in Ravenswood School District after an initial meeting to explore ideas and opportunities for partnership. 

An area with an existing downspout and irrigation system was jointly decided as the location for the new rain garden. The grass turf was replaced with California natives and covered with mulch with minimal excavation and help from the community and school volunteers. The installation took place for the course of a 3-day weekend. Flows To Bay partnered with Lyngso Garden Materials to acquire donated materials for the rain garden.

Flows To Bay installed a 660-gallon cistern on the campus of Westborough Middle School in January 2022. Teachers and their students wanted this cistern installed to help reduce local water pollution and provide a sustainable water source for surrounding plants, including many trees transplanted from areas with historical significance. The new rain cistern will also be used to irrigate the existing plants as well as new native plants the students are hoping to plant. The school will be installing a drip irrigation system to assist in watering their plants.

With an average annual rainfall of 22 inches in South San Francisco, the approximate 1,100sqft area of roof could capture over 15,000 gallons of water, potentially refilling either system 10+ times over the course of the year. The style and design of the wide and squat cistern do not require additional strapping or security measures. 

Flows To Bay installed a 660-gallon cistern on the campus of Redwood High School in January 2022. The water will be used to irrigate the nearby edible food garden inside three aboveground planter beds. A gravel base was added underneath the cistern for additional support. This installation was performed as part of a community workshop where attendees learned rain barrel basics, how rain barrels prevent stormwater pollution, and rain barrel maintenance best practices. After the presentation, attendees had the opportunity for hands-on learning and actively took part in the 2- hour installation where they had the opportunity to ask the presenter various rain barrel-related questions.

The installation site was near a portion of Cordilleras Creek, making the rain barrel installation even more impactful in terms of reducing runoff to a nearby waterway.

Flows To Bay installed a 50-gallon rain barrel with a drip irrigation system on the campus of El Granada Elementary School in April 2021. The water was used to irrigate the nearby planter boxes. The teacher uses the barrel to help students learn about the water cycle, water conservation, and to allow students to take ownership and care for the California native plants in the planter boxes. A drip irrigation system was added to help the planter boxes and earthquake-proof strapping was added as an additional security measure. A sign was printed and installed by the barrel utilizing the school’s dolphin mascot and discussed rainwater collection. A “Do Not Drink” sticker was added above the spigot to help students remember that the water in the barrel is non-potable.

The rain barrel specialist also held a virtual presentation to a classroom of second-grade students to discuss stormwater pollution prevention and ways students can get involved while also discussing rainwater as a resource.

Flows To Bay installed a 265-gallon cistern with a drip irrigation system on the campus of Farallone View Elementary in January 2021. The water was used to irrigate the nearby edible food garden that the school uses as an outdoor learning space for its students. A base filled with gravel was installed to provide a level foundation on the sloped installation site, and earthquake-proof strapping was added for additional stability and support. A protective fence was installed to enclosed the cistern and keep students safe.

The rain barrel specialist made sure to review the different components of the cistern and advised on regular maintenance procedures so the school may proper care of the cistern post-installation. The rain barrel specialist also held a virtual presentation to a classroom of third-grade students to discuss stormwater pollution prevention and the school’s newly installed cistern.

Working with the San Carlos School District Wellness Director in November 2019, Flows To Bay coordinated the installation of a daisy-chained rain barrel system with a 100-gallon capacity and a drip irrigation system to channel water into the school’s rain garden. The rain garden was built by the school in conjunction with the barrel install. 

Flows To Bay promoted this event as a hands-on installation workshop where school and community members learned about the benefits of rain barrels as it pertains to stormwater pollution prevention and the basics of rain barrel maintenance. We partnered with a rain barrel specialist to lead the workshop while providing attendees a chance to participate in the installation itself. We also partnered with Lyngso Garden Materials to acquire donated materials for the barrel planters and rain garden.