Spring rain barrel sale continues to April 13

In anticipation of Earth Week, the Naperville Park District and The Conservation Foundation are collaborating to offer rain barrels for sale at a discounted price through April 13.

Rain barrels are simply large containers that capture rainwater at the end of a downspout and store the water for later use, for example in watering plants or washing cars. Using water from rain barrels as a resource lowers water bills, helps reduce flooding, and can have a dramatic impact on water quality in our rivers and streams.

“We are happy to work with the park district to make rain barrels available to homeowners and businesses in our community,” said Brook McDonald, president and CEO of The Conservation Foundation. “We share with the park district the common goal of environmental stewardship of our rivers, streams, and other valuable natural resources.”

Interested residents and non-residents may order a rain barrel online at www.napervilleparks.org, by phone at (630) 848-5000 or in person at the Park District Administration Building at 320 W. Jackson Ave. The 55-gallon rain barrels will be sold for $70 each if ordered by April 13. The pre-ordered barrels will be available for pick up at the Naperville Park District Administration Building parking lot on Saturday, April 16 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Our 55-gallon, recycled plastic rain barrels come equipped with a spigot, a screw off lid, a garden hose threaded overflow, and screen in the top to help keep out bugs and debris. Here are the top five facts about rain barrels, as posted at www.theconservationfoundation.org :

1. It's estimated that during the hot summer months, the average homeowner uses 40 percent of the household water in the yard.

2. Collecting the mineral rich and chlorine free rain that falls on your roof can help your garden, houseplants and reduce your water bill.

3. Modern rain barrels are sealed, safe around children and insect resistant.

4. A hose spigot on the front makes the captured rainwater available.

5. A quarter-inch of rain falling on the average home yields over 200 gallons of water.