Photo Credit: DEP rain barrel giveway in Brooklyn by the DEP

Today in New York City I woke up to rain. Maybe it’s the perfect day the city’s Department of Environmental Protection to be giving away free rain barrels. The 55-gallon rain barrels will be given to homeowners to help conserve water and reduce pressure on the city’s sewer system, which is often overwhelmed during heavy storms.

This is such good news. Homeowners can water their lawn or garden with rainwater, reduce your household consumption and, in turn, reduce demand on the city’s drinking water system during the summer’s hottest days. Rainwater is one of the best ways to keep your garden or lawn healthy all summer long.

Also, homeowners can save water (and money). Some households devote almost 40% of their total water usage to watering their gardens or lawns. Rain barrels are a great way to use less city water – which may help save you money on your water bill.

In some states collecting rainwater is becoming illegal so it’s great to know this is a solution the city is behind and guiding people towards!

DEP is giving away another thousand rain barrels across the City in 2011. This year we are giving away rain barrels at the following locations:

Brooklyn
Saturday, April 16, 2011
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Marine Park Parking Lot
Avenue U

Queens
Saturday, April 30, 2011
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Cunningham Park
196th Place & Union Turnpike

The Bronx
Saturday, May 7, 2011
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Pelham Bay Park
Middletown Road Parking Lot
Off Stadium Avenue

Staten Island
Saturday, May 7, 2011
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
College of Staten Island
2800 Victory Boulevard

Please note: Rain Barrels will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis, one per household. You must live in a single-family or attached two-family home to participate in this exciting and innovative program.

Src: nyc.gov