Aquarion Water Company is offering upcycled rain barrels to its Fairfield County customers to save water and money through its discounted rain barrel program. The 60-gallon barrels fit under the downspout of your home and collect rainwater from the roof for use in a garden.
George Logan, Aquarion’s director of community delations, said the rain barrels are part of Aquarion’s ongoing water conservation efforts and to help customers save money on their water bills. It normally only takes a quarter-inch of rain to fill up a barrel. The barrels also have a screen intake that keeps insects and debris from entering inside. The cost is $85 per barrel.
“A rain barrel can save a homeowner approximately 1,300 gallons of water annually, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” Logan said. “Aquarion also provides an overflow hose to direct overflow water away from your home’s foundation or direct the overflow water to another rain barrel.”
Trumbull resident Carly Rhodes purchased an Aquarion Water Company rain barrel for her family’s home. The Rhodes family has a large garden that they maintain in the spring and summer.
“We use it for things we don’t consume as a human, like rinsing off the deck, the cars, maybe the side of the house. It helps us use less hose water in our garden,” she said.
Rhodes said that she picked up their rain barrel at the Trumbull’s Town Hall, and they use it every day.
The rain barrels are also meant to encourage customers of Aquarion to “think about water conservation in everything they do that utilizes this natural resource,” said Logan.
Using rain barrels also helps reduce runoff and nonpoint source pollution that comes from rainfall, he said.
The rain barrels can be ordered directly from Aquarion’s partner, Jacks Composters and Rain Barrels. Orders must be placed by April 21. Visit the Aquarion Water Company website for more details for when rain barrels can be picked in Fairfield County towns.
