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

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 https://www.americanrivers.org/our-work/clean-water/sewage-and-stormwater/rain-garden-barrel.html.