Have You Ordered Your Rain Barrel Yet?

The Chelmsford Department of Public Works has partnered with the Great American Rain Barrel Company in Hyde Park to offer recycled rain barrels to residents as part of a community wide conservation and sustainability program. And if you want to be a part of this program and purchase a barrel, the deadline is Tuesday, April 21 at 5 p.m.

“We are bringing Rain Barrels to Chelmsford to help homeowners reduce their water costs and help our community protect their water resources,” says Christina Papadopoulos, Senior Civil Engineer, Town of Chelmsford. “Rain barrels are an effective way to eliminate waste from our water supplies, help homeowners supplement their own usage and we hope to see one at every downspout in Chelmsford”

Water shortage and rising water and sewer costs continue to be a growing global concern, officials say. In New England, residents continue to experience exponential rate increases in both water and sewer. Water usage can spike as much as 60 percent from watering plants, lawns, filling pools, and washing cars. The use of rain barrels effectively offset that usage, saving homeowner’s money and helping the community manage water supplies. Rain barrels also reduce runoff. In watershed areas, runoff from homes and developments can harm existing water sources. Overtaxed storm sewers discharge polluted runoff. Over time this takes a toll on the fragile aquatic ecosystem that the area is dependant on.

“We have been selling barrels for 20 years and we are seeing a very positive trend,” says Suzanne Gebelein, owner of the Great American Rain Barrel Company. “More and more communities nationwide, like Chelmsford are bringing large scale programs to their towns, encouraging more residents to conserve water but also helping their town mitigate pollution in the water supplies on a larger scale.”

Households see a benefit too. As residents struggle with rising utility costs they find affordable ways to offset some of these expenses; such low energy light bulbs, energy efficient appliances, compost bins and rain barrels. Rain barrels connect easily to downspouts and collect and store significant amounts of water. In this region there is typically 16 inches of rain from May 1 through Sept. 30. For every inch of rainfall a 1,000 square foot surface can collect 620 gallons of water, that means an average roof of 2,400 square feet could see more than 20,000 gallons of fresh rainwater splashing over its surface during that time period. That is a significant source of water that homeowners can tap into for free. Just keeping a small 10’ x 10’ garden irrigated during the summer months can mean using up to 1,700 gallons of water. Based on the average roof size, more than two 60 gallon rain barrels would fill for every 15 inch of rainfall. The Great American Rain Barrel Company recommends one barrel for every 100 square foot garden.

Chelmsford is offering the Great American Rain Barrel in three colors: Forest Green, Earth Brown or Nantucket Gray at the low cost of $79, 34 percent off the retail price of $119. Orders can be placed on line or by phone and will be available for pick up Tuesday, April 28 from 5-7pm at The Chelmsford DPW at 9 Alpha Road.

To take advantage of this offer visit www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com, click on “Community Programs” and click on Chelmsford.

Rain barrels are currently on display at the Town Offices, 50 Billerica Rd., Adams Library, 25 Boston Rd., and The Department of Public Works. If you have any questions, contact via email info@tgarb.com, or phone (800)251-2352. Orders must be placed before April 21, at 5 p.m.