How To Score A Discounted Rain Barrel In Wilmette

WILMETTE, IL — The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is offering discounted rain barrels to Cook County residents to help prevent basement backups, street flooding and sewer overflows.

Rain barrels are helpful in reducing flooding by keeping rainwater out of the sewer system. The water they capture can be reused to wash cars, water lawns and gardens and clean work boots, tools and bikes.

Rain barrel water is naturally free of chlorine, lime and calcium.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District barrels weigh 20 lbs when empty and can hold up to 55 gallons of water. To order a discounted rain barrel and to learn how to install it, visit the department's website.

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 15 percent of the state's total land area is subject to flooding. With one of the largest inland systems of rivers, lakes and streams in the U.S., total stream flow in Illinois averages over 25 billion gallons per day, making the state very prone to flooding.

"Floods are by far the most common natural disaster in Illinois, accounting for well over 90% of the declared disasters. It is estimated that over 250,000 buildings are located in floodplains of Illinois," the department said.

Just last month, flash floods in the Chicagoland led to vehicles submerged in waist-deep water and several water rescues.