Barrels for sale to collect rainwater

As part of its stormwater management program, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is offering rain barrels at cost, $51 each, to residents of all municipalities within Cook County.

The program was initiated to encourage residents to capture and reuse stormwater. The barrels have a 55-gallon capacity and are 21 inches in diameter, 34 inches tall and available in black, blue, terra cotta or gray. Residents can order through the MWRD website at mwrd.org/irj/portal/anonymous/rainbarrel. Orders cannot be accepted by phone.

MWRD will have the pre-ordered barrels at their Egan plant, 550 S. Meacham Road in Schaumburg, for pickup from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 17 or Oct. 15. For more information, call Matt McGregor at (312) 751-5884.