Go Green This Spring: Save Water, Save Money, and Prevent Pollution

For the first time this year, Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan
residents have the 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.

"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 225 rain barrels were sold through
this program in 2008. Orders must be placed by March 27th. A general
delivery has been scheduled for Saturday, April 4th at the Erie Street
Market, 237 S. Erie Street, Downtown Toledo from 9 a.m. till noon. 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 https://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.