To help homeowners and the town manage their water supply and manage storm water Westfield is offering residents the opportunity to buy discounted rain barrels.

Capturing and storing water at the home and the use of rain gardens are the two most effective ways to use rain water. Saving rain water helps homeowners save money. Rain water is free, and it’s an excellent water source for plants, gardens, lawns and any other non-potable use. One tenth of an inch of rain on a 1000 square foot roof –about 25 minutes of moderate rainfall– will fill a 60-gallon Rain Barrel. New England typically receives 17” of rain during the growing season from May through September. This provides enough water to fill 170 Rain Barrels.

Droughts stress residential landscaping and town water facilities. In 2016, 168 communities in Massachusetts faced restrictions on nonessential outdoor water use – 47% of the Cities and Towns in the state. There is no restriction on rainwater use.

Westfield chose to work with the Great American Rain Barrel Co., a local food importing company that has been repurposing shipping drums into Rain Barrels since 1988. Last year 30% of Massachusetts Cities and Towns partnered with The Great American Rain Barrel Co, selling over 3000 barrels. Great American Rain Barrel Co has been approved vendors by the MASSDEP for the state since 2010. Barrels are being offered for $69. Barrels will be available for pick up on Tuesday, April 30th at the Westfield DPW, 28 Sackett St, from 2PM – 6PM. Deadline for purchase is April 23rd, Midnight. To participate in the Rain Barrel Program and find out more about the barrels, please visit: www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/ and select your town. Barrels are on display at the DPW 28 Sackett St.