Rain Barrel Program

A rain barrel is a container used to collect and store rainwater from rooftops at either the downspout or the lowest pitch area of a roof. The water can be used later on your lawn, garden or for other outdoor purposes and is designed to prevent mosquito breeding.

• Saves money on water bills.
• Lawn and garden watering can account for up to 40% of your household water bill during the spring and summer months. Rain barrels can reduce your outdoor water use by using rainwater rather than tap water.
• Improves water quality of the Bayou Vermilion. Rain barrels reduce the amount of stormwater runoff and surface water pollutants that enter our watershed. For more information on stormwater runoff, visit the Stormwater page.
• Provides optimal water for plants. Rainwater is naturally soft water and devoid of chlorine and other chemicals found in tap water. For this reason, plants thrive on rainwater.

Our rain barrels are designed to prevent mosquito breeding, using a meshed screen to block access that is fastened to every barrel lid. Rain barrel users are encouraged to keep the lid secure on the barrel to avoid a mosquito pathway into the barrel. Ensuring all of the water from the barrel is used within 5 days of being filled is a fail-safe solution to mosquito breeding prevention. As an extra precaution, mosquito dunks can also be purchased at any home improvement store to place in your barrel, which will kill the mosquito larva and not harm your plants or animals.

A rain barrel can be a wonderful addition to your yard and a useful tool for your outdoor watering needs. A rain barrel is right for you if:

• You use a garden hose, soaker hose or watering can for your outdoor watering needs. The filled barrel will not provide an adequate amount of pressure to connect to a sprinkler.
• You use water for outdoor purposes at least once a week.
• The placement of the barrel will be in a surrounding location that slopes away from your house and neighboring properties.
• The area surrounding the rain barrel is a pervious surface that can soak up overflow water.

The rain barrels being offered are recycled food grade barrels and are made up of the following:

• Removable, screw top lid.
• Mesh Screen attached to the lid to keep out debris and mosquitoes.
• Overflow Valve, 3/4 inch size, attached to the top of the barrel and used to redirect overflow water.
• Drain Valve located at the bottom of the barrel and can be used to attach to additional barrels for greater water collection.
• Spigot allows for access and control of the rainwater.

• Capacity: 55 gallons
• Diameter: Approx: 24 inches
• Height: Approx: 39 inches
• Material: Polyethylene (plastic based)