Balancing Sustainability and Greenery

As part of our ceaseless journey toward sustainability at Jackie O’s, we prioritize reducing water usage wherever possible. That ethos faced a challenging test with the cultivation of our new Green Space at On Fourth. Sustaining an oasis of greenery demands significant water resources—a seeming contradiction to our goals. However, with some inspired engineering and upcycled brewery equipment, we found a clever solution for our water dilemma.

Instead of relying solely on municipal water, our Green Space at On Fourth benefits from an old but innovative system: a rain barrel, repurposed from one of the decommissioned fermentation tanks from the former Elevator Brewing Company, to capture rainwater which would then, in turn, nurture our Green Space.

Fermentor to Rain Barrel Conservation

The transformation of the fermentation tank into a rain barrel involved meticulous planning and engineering. Putting an 1800 gallon tank on a mezzanine required the help of structural engineers and architects from the outset. We knew we wanted to use gravity to help the system, so using the second-floor mezzanine became the obvious answer. 

The system is designed to collect rainwater from our building’s roof, filter it, and store it in the fermentor until needed for irrigation. The results speak for themselves: From 2023 to 2024, more than 15000 gallons of water have been conserved. For context, that’s the equivalent of about 300 full bathtubs or a full swimming pool. Enough water to supply the average person with 80 years of drinking water or run a garden hose for 25 hours straight!

A Testament to Sustainability and Community Effort

Our journey to bring this rain barrel to life was a collective endeavor. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the many departments and individuals who played pivotal roles in this project. Special thanks to the Franklin County Health Department, the Columbus city plumbing and building departments, and a dedicated team of engineers for their expert guidance and approval processes. Their collaborative efforts ensured the rain barrel’s safety and functionality for our building, customers, and team.

Fully operational and now a fixture on our upper patio, the Jackie O’s On Fourth’s rain barrel stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication to sustainability. It serves not only as a practical solution for fostering our Green Space, but also as a symbol of innovation, conservation, and community effort.