Making a Rainwater Harvesting System

Cost: $10, but you'll get a $10 gift card for attending the workshop. Sponsored by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

The winter and spring months are San Francisco's rainy season and every drop counts, especially in our area, which routinely experiences drought. Learn how to easily and safely capture rainwater to use in your garden or home. In this workshop, you’ll learn what to consider and where to start for systems as simple as a single barrel under a downspout, or as complicated as an indoor plumbing system for toilet flushing. Keep precious rainwater out of the sewer and keep money in your pocket by harvesting the water that lands on your roof.

The workshop fee is $10, but you will get a $10 gift card to the Heritage Landscape Supply for attending! Please consider making a donation to GFE for this workshop, which is free when you attend and receive a $10 gift card.

Instructor Kat Sawyer strives to make the Bay Area more resilient by implementing natural water management strategies in homes, schools, and public places. As Greening Urban Watersheds Program Manager for The Watershed Project, Kat develops green infrastructure throughout the city of Richmond, constructing rain gardens and bioswales that demonstrate ways to manage urban stormwater with landscapes. Kat has designed and built rainwater catchment systems in more than 25 San Francisco public schools, engaging volunteers from each school community in the process. Kat educates the public about water reclamation and re-use, directing her efforts towards tangible activities that encourage people to become better water stewards in an urban environment.

No walk-up registration permitted for this course.

Full garden workshop schedule

What to bring to the workshop

Directions to the garden

More about Kat and our gardening Instructors