About 20 Northern Virginia residents built their own rain barrels Saturday during a workshop taught by representatives of the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District.

Participants at the workshop, held at the Mount Vernon District Governmental Center in Fort Hunt, were provided empty barrels and hardware and learned about how rain barrels help protect the environment by reducing stormwater runoff. They also provide cost-savings by collecting rainwater to use for watering gardens and lawns.

Once installed at home, the barrels can be painted to match the house or garden. The Rain Barrel Program partners include Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, Arlington County, the city of Alexandria, the city of Falls Church, Clean Virginia Waterways, the Reston Association and the soil and water conservation district.

For more information or to register for an upcoming workshop, visit this website.