Rain Barrels
A rain barrel is a water tank used to collect and store rain water, typically from rooftops via rain gutters. The use of a rain barrel reduces the amount of rain water from roofs that runs off of lawns and into sewer systems. Because combined sewers in Syracuse can overflow during wet weather, the use of rain barrels can help reduce the amount of pollutants going into Onondaga Creek and other local waterways.
The water collected in a rain barrel can be used for watering lawns and gardens, washing cars, agriculture, or for the other multitude of needs for water in the home. Rain barrels help to conserve water which save money and natural resources.
Rain barrels can be purchased at stores or can be made at home from clean, recycled food-grade barrels.
The City of Bremerton, Washington, has a nice web page for making your own rain barrel. Many other web sites are available for help on making your own rain barrel. YouTube even has rain barrel how-to videos.
If you want to make your own rain barrel, the following local companies have food grade barrels:
| Name |
Location |
Phone Number |
| Syracuse Barrel Co. |
Syracuse |
(315) 479-7249 |
| Bronstein Container Co. |
Jamesville |
(315) 469-6191 |
Local vendors of pre-made rain barrels include the following:
| Name |
Location |
Phone Number |
| Ace Hardware |
Fayetteville |
(315) 637-7696 |
Ballantyne Gardens
|
Liverpool |
(315) 453-0621 |
| Lowes |
Syracuse |
(315) 350-2801 |
| Lowes |
Cicero |
(315) 350-8961 |
| True Value |
Baldwinsville |
(315) 695-2394 |
| Chuck Hafner's Farm Market & Garden Center |
North Syracuse |
(315) 458-2231 |
| Walmart |
Clay |
(315)622-5401 |
|
