Rain Barrel Season

Now that the warmer weather has arrived, we have been busy partnering with elected officials in communities throughout the city to provide free rain barrels to homeowners. Thus far this month, we have held two events and delivered 280 rain barrels. And, there are several more events planned for the upcoming weekends in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. The 60-gallon rain barrels are easy to install and connect directly to a property owner’s downspout to capture and store the stormwater that falls on the rooftop.

The water collected in the rain barrel can then be used to water lawns and gardens, or for other outdoor chores. Rain barrels can help reduce a homeowner’s water bill as watering lawns and gardens can account for up to 40 percent of an average household’s water use during the summer months. They also help to reduce the amount of stormwater that enters the City’s sewer system, which helps to protect the health of New York Harbor and local waterways. Last year, DEP distributed a record-setting 11,111 rain barrels to New York City homeowners. Photos of the giveaways can be viewed here.

Each homeowner who received a rain barrel was provided with an installation kit and instructions. It’s important to note that rain barrels should only be used for non-potable purposes, such as gardening, and must be disconnected from the downspout during the winter months to avoid freezing.

DEP’s Rain Barrel Giveaway Program is part of New York City’s Green Infrastructure Plan that aims to capture stormwater before it can ever enter the sewer system and thereby reduce combined sewer overflows into local waterways. DEP has committed to invest $2.4 billion in green infrastructure projects as well as other source controls, such as rain barrels, to significantly reduce combined sewer overflows by 2030.