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Rain Barrels for Sale Starting April 13

Rain Barrels for Sale Starting April 13

As of August 31, 2015, rain barrels are SOLD OUT for another year. Thanks for doing your part to protect the environment and reduce the consumption of treated water. We look forward to offering more rain barrels for sale to our customers in the spring of 2016. Please stay tuned, and perhaps order your second rain barrel to conserve even more water!

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Starting April 13, 2015, Utilities Kingston will make up to 1000 rain barrels for sale. Order yours while quantities last by calling 613-546-0000.

Delivery: The barrels will be delivered to customer homes. No delivery appointment is required, and customers do not need to be home to receive their rain barrel.

Cost: Rain barrels cost $42, including HST. This charge will be added to the your Utilities Kingston bill upon delivery.

Availability: Rain barrels are available to Utilities Kingston customers who receive municipal water and wastewater services in the City of Kingston.

These rain barrels hold approximately 210 litres; have a child-proof lid and mosquito/debris screen to keep water in the barrel clean and free of pests; and may be connected to other barrels to increase water capture capacity.

Rain Barrels Conserve Water and Energy

Rain barrels help protect the environment by reducing the amount of treated lake water used for watering gardens, and by diverting rainwater from the sanitary and storm sewer systems. They help conserve energy by reducing the amount of water and wastewater that Utilities Kingston needs to pump and treat, and save you money by lowering your monthly water consumption. Plus, rain water contains minerals that make it better for plants than treated tap water.

How to Install Your Rain Barrel

Rain barrels are easy to install. Just follow these steps:

  1. Place the rain barrel on a platform two to three feet off the ground.
  2. Cut the existing downspout above the top of the rain barrel then re-install the downspout elbow so that it sits just above the centre of the mosquito screen. Alternatively, you can use a downspout diverter and run a hose to the rain barrel while leaving the downspout in place.
  3. Punch out the overflow hole on one side of the barrel, then connect the overflow hose and direct it away from the foundation of your home.
  4. In the winter, simply turn the barrel over so that water does not accumulate and freeze, then re-install the downspout to direct water away from your foundation.

After May 1, you can visit the rain barrel and downspout demonstration at the Utilities Kingston Water Conservation Garden, 1211 John Counter Blvd., to see different options for rain barrel installation.

For more information call 613-546-0000 or visit our rain barrels page.

 

Related: Hands-on Drainage Workshops being Offered Again this Year

Stay tuned for more information on the 2015 series of Everything Drainage Workshops. Get hands-on demonstrations to protect your property from water Issues. Workshops will take place at the Utilities Kingston Water Conservation Garden at 1211 John Counter Boulevard, and dates will be announced. Want to reserve your place? E-mail brustige@utilitieskingston.com to join the waiting list (unfortunately, space cannot be guaranteed).