Elgin promotes rain barrels to reduce water use, fight runoffs

As Elgin's sustainability plan moves forward, one obstacle is to get people to think beyond more than just recycling and using fluorescent light bulbs.

Community leaders took a step in that direction Saturday when they kicked off their "Rain Barrels on Parade" to show why owning a 60-gallon rain barrel is good for the planet and can be fun to decorate.

"This is one of the easier ways to do that," said Mayor Ed Schock from the Gail Borden Library rotunda Saturday afternoon. "The next coming crisis is probably water. We are using water quicker than it can be replenished (in aquifers)."

In the activity, which was organized by the Elgin Community Network and Elgin Climate Change Organization, groups bought one of 50 rain barrels to decorate. They will be displayed throughout the community in June and auctioned off during FoxFireFest in August. Proceeds will go toward sustainability efforts.

"We just have a terrific art community in Elgin," Schock said. "This gives those people a chance to showcase their talents."

Proponents of rain barrels, which hook up to downspouts, say they reduce water use, fight runoff and a good for plants because the water doesn't have chemicals, like chlorine. Organizers also said Elgin residents could harvest more than 1,400 gallons a year with each barrel.

"This type of concept down the road will save our community millions of dollars," said Councilman David Kaptain, co-chair of the city's sustainability effort.

ECCO is selling barrels for $75 each, a price that does not make a profit.

Some organizations wanted to have a little fun with their barrels.

The Elgin-based Awakenings Project, an coalition of artists to spotlight mental health, planned to make theirs a barrel of monkeys.

Elgin Fire Lt. Bob Bedard picked up a barrel for the firefighters union. Their design was undecided, but they hoped their effort would help show the community they care.

"We've got several talented artists on the fire department," he said. "We do so much to help the community and so much is under the radar."

For more information, visit ecco-foxvalley.org or stop by In the Neighborhood Deli, 185 N. Edison St., Elgin.