PEABODY, MA — Peabody residents can buy discounted rain barrels through the city's program to conserve water amid ongoing drought conditions.
Orders are due by midnight Oct. 6, with pickup scheduled for Oct. 17 at the Peabody Department of Public Services.
Rain barrels are available to residents for $85 to $89. Orders must be placed through The Great American Rain Barrel website.
The program is in response to increasingly uneven weather patterns, including drought and heavy downpours. Droughts are intensifying and wells are running dry, while short, heavy rain events can cause runoff and flooding instead of soaking into the ground.
A rain barrel captures excess water before it is lost and allows homeowners to reuse rainwater from their roofs.
"As we continue to experience infrequent rainfall and intense heat waves, it is crucial to take meaningful action to protect our resources," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "Conserving water during a drought is not just a short-term solution — it is a critical step in addressing climate change."
Rain barrels can provide untreated water for gardening and cleaning, reduce dependence on municipal or well water, and help keep plants, lawns and gardens going through dry spells. Using less treated water can decrease energy use and greenhouse gas emissions at water treatment plants.
The program states that rain barrels can reduce water bills by up to 40 percent and save homeowners 1,300 gallons of water annually. Barrels offered through the program are made from 100 percent repurposed, food-grade material, are UV protected and BPA free, and are produced in Massachusetts.
The barrels are described as screen-filtered to keep mosquitoes out and durable enough to last for years when properly drained and stored for winter. Several barrels can be linked together in an easy five-minute setup.
Available colors are Forest Green, Earth Brown and Nantucket Grey, with an unpainted option also available.
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