Advisory: Medford Offers Residents Discount Rain Barrels

The following press release was issued by the City of Medford:

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April 7, Medford, MA— The City of Medford is offering rain barrels to residents.

“We are thrilled to be offering this simple and inexpensive device to our residents to bring down their water costs, reduce runoff to the river and manage water supplies,” says Alicia Hunt, Director of Energy & Environment.

In New England residential water usage can increase as much as 60% during the extended summer season from outdoor watering needs such as watering gardens, lawns, filling pools and, washing cars. Rain barrels offset that increase; saving homeowner’s money and helping the community manage water supplies.

Rain barrels also reduce runoff. In watershed areas, runoff can harm existing water sources because storm sewers discharge polluted runoff. Medford’s storm sewers discharge into the Mystic and Malden Rivers, so a reduction in runoff will be a benefit to the Mystic River Watershed.

Suzanne Gebelein, Owner of the Great American Rain Barrel Company comments “Communities nationwide, like Medford, are bringing programs to their towns, encouraging more residents to be more sustainable but also to help mitigate pollution in the water supplies and save money on rising water bills.”

Homeowners can connect the barrels to their downspouts and save as much as 1,700 gallons in a season with a single barrel. Just keeping a small 10’ x 10’ garden irrigated during the summer months can mean using that amount of water. Based on the average roof size, more than two 60 gallon rain barrels would fill for every 1/10” of rainfall. One barrel is recommended for every 100 square feet garden.

The barrels are offered in three colors; Forest Green, Earth Brown or Nantucket Gray at the low cost of $79 versus the retail price of $119. Each barrel comes with a spigot, overflow valve, hose, and mosquito screen.

To purchase please visit Great American Barrel look for “shop local programs” in the left side bar, and find “Medford”, or call (800) 251-2352. Barrels will be available for pickup Wednesday, May 6th 5:00-7:00pm Medford City Hall Parking Lot 85 George P Hassett Dr., Medford MA 02155

Ordering Deadline April 29th , 5:00PM