Batavia offers conservation program, rain barrel sale

Save money on doing something good for the environment, as rain barrels are on sale through April 22 in Batavia.

It’s part of the city’s Earth Day observations, in conjunction with the Conservation Foundation.

Besides the rain barrel sale, the city has a “Conservation at Home” presentation at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave. The foundation will present information on rain gardens, certifying a home for the “Conservation at Home” designation, native plants, and how to connect and use a rain barrel.

Rain barrels capture rainwater at the end of a downspout and store it for later use, typically watering plants or washing cars.

The 55-gallon barrels are $76 each if ordered by April 22 (they normally sell for $96). They come with a spigot, a screw-off lid, a garden hose threaded overflow and a screen for the top to keep out bugs and debris. To order, visit cityofbatavia.net/rainbarrels and click on “link.” Pickup is from 10 a.m. to noon April 30 at the Clark Island Park parking lot, 411 S. River St.

For more information about conservation efforts in Batavia, visit the Batavia Environmental Commission’s Web page at cityofbatavia.net.