Water Resource Engineer Charles Darling holds an optional down spout adapter while standing with a new 60-gallon rain barrel. Residents can order the $69 barrel by calling 1-800-251-2352 by 5 p.m. June 5, 2014 with pick up in the City Hall parking lot June 12, 2014 from 4 – 6 p.m. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – Residents have an opportunity to go green, or blue or black, with the purchase of a 60-gallon rain barrel being offered through a joint program sponsored by the Water Resource and Public Works departments.
The barrels, manufactured from recycled plastic, are a product of the Great American Rain Barrel Company, and can be used to collect rain water which can be used for home garden irrigation.
“It’s the same program we did last year,” Water Resource Engineer Charles Darling said Tuesday. “It’s a joint program between our department and public works.”
Darling said the Public Works Department has offered the rain barrels in the past under its stormwater management program and that the Water Resource Department’s offering supports the stormwater management program.
“People seem to like it because it promotes conservation by using storm water for irrigation, using free water instead of having to pay for it,” Darling said. “So it pays for itself.”
This is a state award, so the price is set at $69 dollars,” Darling said. “The barrels have two spigots, a higher one for filling watering cans and a lower one for hose attachments.”
Darling said that reduction in the use of city water for irrigation also lowers the amount of electricity used by the Water Resource Department to treat and distribute water throughout the city.
“Any conservation measure is also taken as credit under the Department of Environmental Protection stormwater management policies,” Darling said.
“The barrels are constructed to tie right into a down spout to collect rainwater off the roof of homes,” Darling said. “And they come with a screen to prevent misquotes from getting into the barrel.’
The barrels, which cost $69 dollars are equipped with two ports to accommodate the use of either a hose or watering can. Residents purchased 56 barrels last year when the program was initiated.
The deadline to order a barrel this year is June 5, with the barrels available for pick up in the City Hall parking lot on June 12.
The barrels are available in brown, gray and green, or in unpainted gray or black.
