Wilmington Offering Discounted Rain Barrels To Residents

WILMINGTON, MA — The Town of Wilmington is reminding residents about the advantages of taking part in the 2023 Rain Barrel Program and offering details about purchasing the barrels.

For a discounted rate of $89, Wilmington residents can purchase a rain barrel, which collects rainwater from a house's rooftop and stores it for later use on lawns, gardens and indoor plants. The barrels, which are made by the Great American Rain Barrel Company, are available in multiple colors: Forest Green, Earth Brown, Nantucket Grey and unpainted.

Among the advantages of rain barrels, according to the Town of Wilmington:

• A decrease in water bills of up to 40 percent.
• An alternate source of water during droughts.
• Available chlorine and chemical-free water to use for plants.
• Lowering the water demands on municipalities and the energy used at treatment plants.

Additionally, rain barrels can slow pollution from runoff.

"When heavy rain falls over drought-stricken soil — which is often hard and cracked — it cannot soak into the ground, and becomes runoff. Rain barrels can be part of the solution," the Town of Wilmington explained in a statement.

The Great American Rain Barrel Company products are 100 percent re-purposed food grade, UV protected, BPA free barrels that are produced in Massachusetts.

The manufacturer said the barrels are easy to assemble and will last for years when properly drained and stored for the winter.

Wilmington residents can order the barrels up until midnight on June 5. On the Great American Rain Barrel Company website, residents should select the town and the state in which they live in order to receive the discount.

Rain barrel pickup is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Jun 17, at the Wilmington Department of Public Works Office, located at 115 Andover St.