John Ward thought the device was a good idea but didn't realize how popular it was until he was put on a waiting list — for two months.
Not to purchase the latest high-tech gadget, mind you, but to attend a county workshop on using rain barrels.
That's right, rain barrels.
A space finally opened up in April.
But others in Hillsborough may not be so fortunate.
Maybe it is the tough economy. Or the three-year drought. Whatever the reason, the Hillsborough County Extension Office's rain barrel workshops in Seffner are booked solid for the rest of the year.
The office typically offers rain barrel workshops 10 times a year. This year officials added 10 classes — all of those filled up, too. By the end of the year between 1,600 and 2,000 residents will have taken a class and will be able to recycle the rain.
Master gardeners are also offering rain barrel classes at libraries and during garden club meetings, so there are a few more opportunities for those who haven't gotten in yet. But even at these satellite locations, the next available opening is three months away.
"I think it is a combination of things. I think the drought got people interested," said Lynn Barber, Florida yards and neighborhoods agent for the extension service. "And people are becoming more and more environmentally conscience. It is just one more attempt or effort at recycling."
When the county program started about 15 years ago, seating for 25 to 30 people was available. Now classes with space for 120 people regularly fill up. Hillsborough County residents receive a free 55-gallon rain barrel, spigot and other necessary equipment. Out-of-county participants can pay $20 for a rain barrel rig.
When Ward finally got a seat, he learned about the hundreds of gallons of rainwater that splash off his roof after a rain. He found out how to save and store that untreated water.
He hooked up his rain barrel the same night.
That weekend came a five-minute burst of rain. It overflowed the barrel. The next day he made another one and has plans for a third. He said the 50 orchids and other large potted plants around his porch and pool are responding well to the unprocessed water. He also likes saving some money on his water bill.
Ward, who lives in Temple Terrace, is not surprised at the popularity of the workshops.
"Everybody likes a deal," he said.
Don Vickers, 60, a computer consultant who lives in South Tampa attended the June 2 rain barrel workshop.
Just days later he had the barrel connected to a downspout. Vickers was surprised when a small rain that weekend overfilled the barrel.
"It is one of those things to see the numbers in a Power Point presentation. It is another to realize a small rain fills your barrel," Vickers said.
Here is the math on water harvesting: 1 inch of rain off a 1,000-square-foot roof will yield more than 600 gallons of water, according to Barber.
Still, rain barrels are not the most efficient way to harvest untreated water. A cistern is even better. Plans are in the works for the county to roll out a cistern workshop possibly next year, as well, Barber said. A cistern is capable of holding 275 gallons of water or more. Barber said a cistern is used to water the Bette S. Walker Discovery Garden at the extension office, and visitors hardly notice the reservoir neatly tucked behind a vine.
But barrels are the "in" thing this year, and some people are finding that just taking a class won't make a rain barrel work — they actually have to hook it up. At least one company is taking advantage of the craze.
Lisa J. Montelione is the development manager at Rising Force Construction, which recently developed a rain barrel installation service. Montelione said one reason was to drum up business. (The company let five employees go in the past year because of the slow economy.)
Another reason was Montelione's personal experience with rain barrels.
She, too, got a barrel after attending an extension workshop, then waited more than a year before hooking it up. Friends, she said, had also been slow to get their free barrels working.
Now, Rising Force charges $37 to hook up an existing rain barrel. Add $40 if the company provides the barrel and other equipment.
While rain barrel workshops are this year's hot ticket event, a session planned for Sept. 10 at the Jan Platt Library still had room early this week for 90 — first come, first served. Participants will not get a rain barrel but will get a certificate to redeem one at the extension office later.
Barber also said residents have a good chance, although not guaranteed, of getting a spot in a class if they just show up for earlier workshops. These days, she said, there are more no-shows.
Jared Leone can be reached at (813) 269-5314 or jleone@sptimes.com.
Next available workshop: A first-come, first-served rain barrel workshop is scheduled for Sept. 10 at the Jan Platt Regional Library, 3910 S Manhattan Ave.
The Hillsborough County Extension is at 5339 County Road 579, Seffner. Call (813) 744-5519.
To learn how to construct your own rain barrel, go to hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/FYN%20PDF%20Files/RB_directions.pdf.
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