Recycle Rain Water and Save Money Using Rain Barrels

In an effort to reduce rain water runoff – and perhaps save residents some money this summer – the Clinton River Watershed Council is selling 100 rain barrels for pick-up on May 14.

What is a rain barrel, you ask?

According to Michele Arquette-Palermo of the Clinton River Watershed Council, it "is a device that collects the rain water from your roof and holds it until you need it to water your landscaping or lawn."

Pretty simple, right? In fact, it's such a good idea that Oakland Township already uses them in its parks, including Bear Creek Nature Park (there's a water barrel on the corner of the picnic pavilion, next to the grill).

Arquette-Palermo says a barrel "saves thousands of gallons of water during the summer" and can reduce pollution "by reducing storm water run off."

Using water from the barrels also means that water treatment facilities will not have to unnecessarily treat rain water, which can save natural resources, says Arquette-Palermo.

Additionally, the au naturel water provides your lawn with naturally-occurring chlorine, lime or calcium, says Arquette-Palermo, which is better for plants than using tap water.

The barrels, which are 100 percent recycled plastic, cost $80 each and include a one-year membership to the Clinton River Watershed Council.

According to a flyer from the council, the barrels were purchased from Rain Barrels R Us and include the following items:

• 1 recycled food-grade 55-gallon barrel
• 1 brass spigot secured with a nut and sealed
• 2 overflow valves
• 1 flex gutter adapter
• 1 expandable gutter filter
• 1 3-foot cut-to-size overflow hose

The barrels are available for pre-sale and may be picked up on May 14 from 8-11 a.m at 1115 W. Avon Road in Rochester Hills.

To purchase a rain barrel, or for more information, call 248-601-0606 or email contact@crwc.org.