Discounted Rain Barrels Offered in Connecticut by Dan Seitz
This special offer is partially for charity: for every barrel, or composter, purchased, a donation of $10 is made to local conservation efforts.
Even if now isn’t the right time for you to get a discount or to make a donation, a rain barrel is still quite possibly one of your best ideas for home improvement, and we’re confident that they’re going to keep rising in popularity with local government, especially in rainy areas.
Why? Rain barrels offer major benefits for both the city and the taxpayer. The first, and most basic, is that for both parties, it reduces drainage problems. Rain barrels are already used in homes where soil drainage may not be the best option for collecting rainwater; the water is then generally used to garden or simply poured in a city sewer or drainage grate after the storm. To cities, however, rain barrels mean much more.
In short, every barrel filled with rain water is one barrel worth of water that’s not rushing down into the city drains and sewers, which can become overwhelmed — or even damaged — when faced with heavy rainstorms. Excessive drainage can lead to sewer main breaks, street flooding, electrical problems and a whole other host of woes. If it’s a choice between giving everyone a barrel, and repairing a costly underground break, local governments will choose the barrel, every time.
In addition, it can also help homeowners during the summer months, when water may become scarce in some regions. Rain barrels let lawn enthusiasts and gardeners keep their plants watered without taxing the local water system. Systems that water lawns with water collected in rain barrels are still rare, but becoming more popular. Needless to say, this also keeps down the water bill, which can be a blessing when you’re using a lot of it.
Finally, rain barrels are a cheap, environmentally-friendly solution to all of the above problems. Barrels can be made of recycled plastic or, for that classic look, oak. Advanced home handymen can even try their hand at barrel-making themselves. However, be aware: rain barrels do need to be tightly sealed to prevent attracting wild animals (or worse). It should be pretty easy, though; all you need is a barrel, a lid, maybe a downspout extension, and gravity.
Expect to see more municipalities offering discounts or even free barrels. It’s one of the few subjects on which everyone agrees: rain barrels are common sense that saves dollars and cents.
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