The City of Chestermere’s Streetscape Committee is spearheading a rain barrel competition this spring and summer to provide residents an opportunity to showcase their decorating skills and rain harvesting techniques.
The Streetscape Committee is a volunteer-based group funded by the City, with the aim of introducing more “beautification” projects in Chestermere that bring both aesthetics and innovation to the community.
According to Alison Ciupa, Streetscape Committee liaison and parks coordinator for the municipality, the contest will allow residents to demonstrate some “creative community expression,” while also developing innovative water conservation techniques.
“We designed this contest to help our residents get outside and to raise awareness about how easy it is to conserve and reuse rainwater in our community,” Ciupa stated in a City press release. “We encourage families to work together as a team.
“The contest is a great way to involve the whole family in a project that benefits the environment while rewarding our participants with some great prizes,” she added in an email.
Prizes for the most creatively decorated barrel and innovative water capturing or harvesting system will be awarded in early August, pending the committee’s final decision. Registration for the contest closes on July 31, or after the committee receives submissions from 100 applicants.
An example of an innovative water capturing or harvesting system can include hooking the barrel up to a downspout and using collected water for irrigation, Ciupa said. She added participants are encouraged to submit detailed photos and a description of their creations.
The top five selected innovative water capturing systems will receive a $100 gift certificate to a local Chestermere business. The top 10 will receive a $50 gift certificate. According to Ciupa, all participants who submit a photo to the committee will receive a $10 gift certificate to Garden Scents Garden Centre or Cobblestone Garden Centre.
Ciupa said the concept for the contest was developed by Jason McKee, a member of the Streetscape Committee, after he attended the Bow River Basin Council quarterly convention on behalf of the Chestermere Lake and Waterfront Advisory Committee (LAWAC) – another group which he is a member of.
Ciupa said using a rain barrel is a great way for residents to conserve and reuse rainwater – as well as minimize potential impacts of drought and water shortages.
“Diverting and collecting the water that runs off the hard surfaces on your property means that it is not ending up in the storm drains,” she said in the email. “This helps to prevent overload on this infrastructure during rain events and in turn, could prevent or alleviate flooding.
She said using the collected rain water to water your plants in your garden can also help to save money on your water bills
Residents who would like to participate in the contest are encouraged to visit chestermere.ca/rainbarrelcontest in order to complete an entry form. Participants will have the option of purchasing a rain barrel from the City’s Eco Centre for $65, using their own barrel, or picking up a free barrel from Eco Growth Environmental.
Once residents have obtained a rain barrel, they can begin decorating and setting up their innovative water capturing or harvesting systems.
Photos of the designs along with a detailed description can be sent to [email protected] for consideration for the contest.
Carmen Cundy, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @carmenrcundy
