City's GreenSpot Rain Barrel Program

I found this on the Franklin Soil & Water Conservation District website and decided to pass it along . . . . .

Why would you want a rain barrel at home?

• Reduce flooding, streambank erosion and water quality problems in your neighborhood.


• Save money by not using city water for watering vegetables, flowers and trees.


• Conserve both water and energy by not using drinking water for watering vegetables, flowers and trees.


• Provide delicate houseplants and your prize vegetables natural rainwater with no additives.

How can you purchase a low-cost rain barrel?

1. Register as a GreenSpot member.


2. Live in your home located in Columbus, unincorporated Franklin County, Canal Winchester, Gahanna, Upper Arlington or Worthington.


3. Attend a workshop by mailing the registration form with a check for $50.00, attend the workshop and take your rain barrel home with you; OR After April 2, 2012, visit our online storm water education page, pass the quiz, use PayPal to purchase one rain barrel for $50.00 and pick it up at our office. (Online program opens April 2, 2012.)

When can you get your rain barrel?

• The online program opens Monday April 2, 2012.


• The workshops begin on Saturday April 7, 2012.

Where can you get your rain barrel?

• The workshops, with times and locations, are here.


• If you passed the quiz and ordered online, and have received an e-mail from Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District (in addition to your PayPal confirmation), pick up your rain barrel at 1328 Dublin Road, Suite 101, Columbus 43215 (map here) between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for county holidays.

What does the rain barrel look like?

• It is terracotta colored.


• It holds 45 gallons of rainwater that comes off your roof.


• It is easily installed into your downspout.


• The instructions are very easy to follow, but for extra help, here is an installation video.
  

Who is making this possible?

• Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman and the Columbus Department of Public Utilities.


• Franklin County Commissioners Paula Brooks, Marilyn Brown and John O’Grady.


• The cities of Canal Winchester, Gahanna, Upper Arlington and Worthington. [Editorial Comment: But NOT Bexley?!! What's up with that???]


• Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries (FACT) and Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) are facilitating many of the workshops. These watershed groups are volunteer organizations that work to preserve and protect local streams and rivers. Join your local watershed group today!


• Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District.
  

More information:

• Fact sheet with additional information about using rain barrels.


• Frequently asked questions about rain barrels and the GreenSpot Rain Barrel Program.


• RainStation ™ rain barrel warranty and safety warnings handout.

BTW, the Conservation District is also having a great tree sale for another week. The fish sale ended yesterday.