The Thames River Basin Partnership is pleased to announce that it is offering eastern Connecticut residents the opportunity to purchase a rain barrel at the discounted price of $85.  TRBP has teamed up with the Niantic River Watershed Group and The New England Rain Barrel Company to help residents conserve water and reduce pollution from stormwater runoff.  A donation of $9 will be made to the Thames River Basin Partnership for each rain barrel sold to support their educational programs.  Click here for a printable flyer to post in your neighborhood.

A rain barrel is a way to capture and store rainwater from the roof gutter system of your home for later use. The New Englander is designed for watering flowers, vegetables, shrubs and trees either by connecting a garden hose to the rain barrel or filling a watering can.

The average homeowner uses approximately 40% of water for outdoor use. A one inch rainfall on a 1,200 square foot roof will yield over 700 gallons of water. Using a rain barrel is an excellent way to conserve some of this water. A quarter inch run-off from an average roof will easily fill the barrel. If you have 5 storms a season, that equals 275 gallons of free water. Rain barrel use reduces the stress on municipal water systems during the summer months and improves storm water management.

The rain barrels are made from 55 gallon blue plastic recycled containers. The top does not come off, so no children or pets can get in the barrel. It has a six inch diameter inlet opening covered with a screened louver to keep insects and debris out. The barrels have 2 brass spigots; one to allow you to connect a hose for watering, and one for overflow.  You can connect a hose to the overflow spigot and redirect the water away from your home.  It even comes with a 5 foot hose with a shutoff valve.  You can join multiple barrels for additional capacity.