Oak Lawn Rolls Out Free Rain Barrel Program

They’re rolling out the barrels -- literally -- in Oak Lawn.

The Village of Oak Lawn is offering free rain barrels through a partnership between the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and the Oak Lawn Green Team.

The program has been wildly successful in Beverly and Morgan Park, where Chicago’s 19th Ward is leading the city in residents’ requests for the 55-gallon rain barrels. When enough neighbors band together on one block, the rain barrels are said to help reduce street and basement flooding.

Watch the video of past Oak Lawn floods. It’s better than public access.

The MWRD is working with community groups county-wide in distributing 15,000 free rain barrels through block clubs, garden groups, community organizations and local municipalities.

“It’s going to make a dent in water that’s going into the sewer system and reduce flooding,” MWRD President Mariyana Spyropoulos said. “We found the that best way to reduce the incidence of flooding is through community groups … We found that if you get 50 percent of the community on board it can make a dent in terms of rainwater going into the system.”

During rain events, storm water hitting residents’ rooftops flows through downspouts into the sewer system. Residents who receive the rain barrels must agree to disconnect their downspouts to divert water from the sewer system, thus reducing the likelihood of basement and street flooding.

Water collected in the barrels can also be used for washing cars, cleaning work boots and tools, or watering the garden or lawn. Most homes can benefit from several rain barrels in the yard.

The MWRD’s rain barrels are made from repurposed or upcycled, plastic food barrels so they are doubly green. In addition, a flexible connecting elbow is included to attach the barrel to your downspout, a linking hose to connect it to a second barrel, detailed instructions, and free delivery to residents’ homes.

A mesh screen on top of the rain barrel keeps mosquitoes from getting inside and laying larvae.

The rain barrels are typically made available to Cook County residents for $58, but the MWRD hopes to have more community groups and municipalities sign up for the free program.

Oak Lawn residents can order up their free rain barrels by visiting the Village of Oak Lawn website.

We highly recommend that Burbank residents tell their mayor they want free rain barrels from the MWRD, too.

Visit the MWRD to learn more about how your group or town can participate in the free rain barrel program.