Effective July 1, the City of Airdrie is once again offering its year-round rain barrel sales online. And where the municipality previously delivered the barrels to residents, they are now operating on a pick-up system only.
According to Jennifer Sugden, water operations program coordinator with the City, the water service department took over the rain barrel program several years ago.
She said the biggest reason for Airdronians to install a rain barrel in their garden is to help conserve water and save money, while also reaping the benefits of untreated water, which is suitable for watering plants.
“The plants just like the water better. There’s no chemicals or anything in it,” Sugden said. “It [also] saves you money – you don’t have to pay for the water – which I know we’re all trying to save money right now.”
She added the use of rain barrels also helps manage the flow of water into the City’s stormwater system by capturing the precipitation on an individual’s property prior to it running off into municipal storm drains.
According to the City of Airdrie’s website, an average roof in Airdrie collects approximately 24,000 litres of rain annually, which could fill a 55 gallon rain barrel 96 times.
“Capturing storm water at home helps reduce the flow of water back to our rivers, reducing the flow of contaminants while supporting flood mitigation efforts,” read a statement on the City website.
“Using a rain barrel also means that less water needs to be treated, reducing demand on water treatment facilities, which in the end saves Airdrie residents money.”
This spring and early summer in particular has been rainier than usual in Alberta, which would make the barrels even more beneficial this year.
Sugden said by selling the rain barrels online, it is a more secure purchase process for residents who are wary of cash transactions. It also provides the flexibility for someone to purchase the barrel whenever they want and pick it up at their leisure.
Once rain barrels have been picked up, all sales are considered final, according to a statement on the City’s website.
“If there are issues with the rain barrel we will work with the customer to resolve the issue,” it read.
The City’s 55-gallon rain barrels are approximately 22.5 inches wide, and 37 inches tall. They are made of locally sourced and re-purposed food-grade material, which according to the municipality, makes them more environmentally friendly than store-bought barrels that are made with virgin plastic.
“They’re a recycled material so they are not new plastics – they are saving the environment that way,” Sugden said.
The rain barrels' colours are dependent on available stock but include blue or white variations. The City stated that staff will do their best to accommodate requests but cannot guarantee colour choices.
Barrels also include a tap and an overflow valve to drain excess water and a closed top and a screen that covers the hole for the downspout.
After an order is placed, all rain barrels purchased can be picked up at 15 East Lake Hill NE during business hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays.
Rain barrels are on sale online now for $65 each for Airdrie residents, and $75 for those who live outside the city limits. Those interested in purchasing a rain barrel are encouraged to submit their order at airdrie.ca/rainbarrel
