Rain Barrel Program

Be Part of the Solution

A photo of dry, cracked earth with dying brown grassClimate crisis is intensifying the water cycle, making wet periods wetter and dry periods drier. Severe droughts can make both rainfall and flash flooding more severe, creating weather whiplash events. 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.

In the spring of 2019, DPW combined forces with the Lexington Girl Scouts to encourage residents to purchase rain barrels as part of an ongoing conservation program. The program was a success, and the Town continues to roll out the program each spring when possible.

Rain barrels lower municipal water demands and save energy at water treatment facilities by reducing water pollution and stormwater runoff. Using rain barrels to collect water from your roof will conserve municipal water supply and cut household water bills up to 40%. Rain is an excellent source of water for lawns, plants, and gardens.

Reasons to Buy a Rain Barrel

  • They decrease your water bill by up to 40%.
  • They are an alternate source of water during droughts.
  • Rain water is a healthy, chlorine- and chemical-free water source for plants and gardens.   
  • They improve residential storm management.
  • They slow pollution from runoff.
  • Use of rain barrels lowers municipal water demands and saves energy at treatment plants.

How to Purchase a Rain Barrel

Photo of a black rain barrel next to a house, with a green house disappearing into lush ground coverLexington has partnered with the Great American Rain Barrel to offer rain barrels. The barrel can be easily attached to your downspout. Rain barrels are available for purchase by residents at the discounted price of $89.00.

About the Great American Rain Barrel

  • 100% re-purposed, food grade, UV-protected, and BPA-free barrels. Produced in Massachusetts.
  • Most durable rain barrels on the market: 3/16" wall thickness. Screen filtered to keep mosquitoes out.
  • Will last for years when properly drained and stored for winter. Barrels pay for themselves in one year.
  • Several rain barrels can be linked together — easy 5-minute setup.
  • Available Colors: Forest Green, Earth Brown, and Nantucket Grey. Also available unpainted.

How to Order

  • Visit www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/.
  • Select your town and state.
  • Follow the ordering instructions on the page, below the pickup time information; you will need to click on the photo of the rain barrel you would like to purchase.

Pick-Up

Saturday, July 29, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Lexington Compost Facility
60 Hartwell Ave

Deadline to Order

July 16, midnight

Have a question about the rain barrel program?