TOLEDO, Ohio - July 1 - Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan residents have a great opportunity to save money and water by purchasing discounted rain barrels, thanks to a partnership between American Rivers, the Toledo Stormwater Program, the Rain Garden Initiative of Toledo – Lucas County, and The New England Rain Barrel Company. Rain barrels help residents use water more wisely and reduce pollution in local streams by capturing stormwater runoff.

The rain barrel sale is just one part of the comprehensive approach American Rivers is taking in the Great Lakes region to reduce stormwater runoff and protect clean water. From its office in Toledo, and a soon-to-be-opened office in Milwaukee, American Rivers is working with decision-makers to promote natural stormwater management practices like permeable pavement, rain gardens, and green roofs. These approaches help save money and energy, reduce flooding, and improve water quality.

“We all need clean water, and it’s important that we use water wisely. Rain barrels are an easy way to catch and store rain for watering gardens, shrubs and trees. They also help prevent stormwater from overwhelming our aging sewer systems or flowing over dirty streets and parking lots and polluting local streams,” said Kathryn Swartz, conservation associate for American Rivers. “By catching the rain and reusing it, residents can help the environment and save money at the same time.”

Did you know?
• 40% of the average homeowner’s water use is outdoors.
• 700 gallons of water runs off a 1,200 square foot roof after only one inch of rainfall. Using a rain barrel is an excellent way to conserve some of this water.
• A quarter inch of runoff from an average roof will easily fill a rain barrel. If you have five storms a season, that equals 275 gallons of free water.
• Rain barrel use reduces the stress on municipal water systems during the summer months and improves stormwater management.

The rain barrels are available at the discounted price of $79.95 - $40 off the retail price.  Over 325 rain barrels have been sold through this program since 2008.  Orders must be placed by August 3rd.  A general delivery has been scheduled for Saturday, August 8th at the Erie Street Market, 237 S. Erie Street, Downtown Toledo from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m.  All rain barrels orders may be picked up at that time.  For further information or to order a rain barrel, call The New England Rain Barrel Company toll free at 877-977-3135 or order online at www.nerainbarrel.com.

The New Englander rain barrel is designed for watering flowers, vegetables, shrubs and trees either by connecting a garden hose to the rain barrel or filling a watering can.  The rain barrels are made from 55-gallon blue plastic recycled containers. The top does not come off, so children or pets cannot get in the barrel. It has a six inch diameter inlet opening covered with a screened louver to keep insects and debris out. The barrels have two brass spigots; one to allow you to connect a hose for watering, and one for overflow.  You can connect a hose to the overflow spigot and redirect the water away from your home.  It even comes with a five-foot hose with a shutoff valve.  You can join multiple barrels for additional capacity.

To view the flyer (PDF), click here.

To read more about American Rivers’ work on rain garden solutions, visit http://www.americanrivers.org/our-work/clean-water/sewage-and-stormwater/rain-garden-barrel.html.