Valpo Introduces Rain Barrels to Residents, April 2014

terra cotta-55-gallonsA single inch of rain falling on 1,000 square feet of roof can yield 600 gallons of water. To make use of this valuable resource, the City of Valparaiso is offering residents the opportunity to purchase rain barrels at reduced rate. The 55-gallon rain barrels are available to the first 200 participants who live within Valparaiso city limits (and pay Valparaiso stormwater fees) at $20 each. The cost is $51 for an additional barrel or to those outside the service territory. Order by May 26 for pick up on May 31 at Central Park Plaza (10 am to 2 pm). For ordering details, visit Valpo.us/MS4.

“Rain barrels have many advantages for residents and the environment. Not only can rainwater save money by providing water for plants, but collecting rainwater also helps reduce the amount of stormwater runoff carried to storm sewers. Rain water is free of minerals, chloride, fluoride and other chemicals so it’s great for plants,” said Mingyan Zhou, of the city’s Engineering Department. Zhou serves as the city’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Coordinator. The city estimates that lawn and garden watering make up nearly 40 percent of total household water during the summer months so rain barrels can help residents in meeting this seasonal need.

The rain barrels offered through the city have a screw-on lid with one inch holes, screen mesh to keep out debris and mosquitoes, an overflow male hose connection, a drain valve and a connection to attach additional barrels. There are several options on how to use your rain barrel water. A garden hose, landscape tubing or drip tubing can be attached to the garden hose size spigot at the bottom of the barrel. The barrel can also be placed on a flat, stable platform so the water can be drained to a bucket and transported to plants. A full 55-gallon rain barrel would weigh more than 450 pounds.