Rain Barrel Program
The Rain Barrel Program has ended for 2011
Utilities Kingston will be offering 1000 or more rain barrels to its customers in Spring 2011. Orders for rain barrels can be placed by calling (613)546-0000 starting May 9th, 2011. The cost per barrel is $40 plus HST, including delivery of the rain barrel to the customer’s doorstep. Customers will be charged for the rain barrels on their Utilities Kingston bill.
Available rain barrels are off-white in colour, have a capacity of 208 Litres, and are 34” high by 24” wide. They have a child-proof lid and mosquito/debris screen to keep water in the barrel clean and free of pests. They may be connected to other rain barrels to increase water capture capacity, and feature a high-quality metal spigot and tap.
Rain barrels help protect the environment by reducing the amount of treated lake water used for watering plants and lawns, and diverting significant quantities of rainwater from the sewer system during storms, reducing overflows. They help conserve energy by reducing the amount of water and waste water that needs to be treated and pumped throughout the City. Rain water contains minerals that make it better for plants than treated tap water. Finally, rain barrels save you money by lowering your monthly water consumption and reducing the volume of water that the City must build treatment infrastructure to handle.
Rain barrels are easy to install. Cut the existing downspout above the top of the rain barrel, re-install the elbow so that it sits just above the centre of the Rain barrel’s screen, then direct the overflow hose away from the foundation of your home. In the winter simply turn the barrel over so water does not accumulate and freeze and re-install the downspout to direct snow melt away from your foundation. To maintain water pressure in longer hoses attached to a rain barrel, it may help to place the rain barrel on a platform 2-3 feet off the ground.
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