With signs of spring beginning many in the Springfield area are thinking about gardening. Those same people probably have numerous plants sitting around in pots, grow plants in pots all summer long, and have to water their gardens to keep their vegetables and ornamental plants surviving during the hot summer months. Having a water barrel to catch rain water from a roof is a great means to save money on your water and sewer bill, be environmentally conscience by reducing the amount of rain water that goes into the Fairfax County storm sewers, and reduces runoff into the various streams in the area that especially feed into Lake Accotink, the Potomac River, and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. Just how does one go about getting or making a rain barrel? One solution is to attend a rain barrel workshop. A commercially available rain barrel that sells at retail can cost anywhere from $90 to $200, plus shipping costs. This is probably more than most want to spend on a rain barrel, although many of them are very nice looking and if it is going to be in a location that is visible to others that may be a concern for you. A simple query on the Internet will bring up an endless list of vendors for rain barrels.
Otherwise a workshop that allows you to come and build your own is a great option. Fairfax county has information at: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/rainbarrels.htm. The cost of these 55 gallon rain barrels are $55 if you build your own,
or you can purchase one for $65 already made. These barrels are food grade plastic, generally all black in color and will look something like the barrel shown here.
(By the way I would advise NOT to put your rain barrel directly on the ground as pictured.) Look at the height off the ground of the copper water facet at the bottom of the barrel which is where you will take the water out, compared to the height of the watering can sitting next to the barrel. You want to elevate the barrel off the ground for easier use. BEWARE though. The 55 gallon barrel filled with water weighs almost 500 pounds. It needs to be secure to not tip over on you or children in the neighborhood, and any platform needs to be able to support that much weight. 
These three barrels are connected together to catch water, and they are up off the ground several inches for greater convenience and use.
Another option for those who are artistic in nature is to paint the barrel
. This link shows local artist paintings of rain barrels – Be creative!!! http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/rainbarrelart.htm
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Rain barrels probably are NOT for everyone. There is maintenance involved, they need to be cleaned out regularly, and you need to ensure proper maintenance to keep mosquitoes out. The last thing you will want is 55 gallons of mosquitoes breeding by your house. Look over the information on the website and decide for yourself. Ask around, there are no doubt other gardeners within the Springfield Civic Association willing to help set one up at your house.
Happy gardening Springfield, spring is right around the corner.