Where To Find a Rain Barrel?

I was surprised and delighted when I heard from Noemi Armstrong of the East Falls Development Corp. that the Philadelphia Water Department planned to give out free rain barrels to watershed residents. Unfortunately budget cutbacks have slowed the distribution of rain barrels from the PWD, and you'll read on the PWD website that there are no set dates to distribute them in Philadelphia in 2009. EFDC may be doing a workshop training for rain barrels at one of their East Falls Goes Green events, and the details are still being worked out. So before we waste any more precious rainwater that washes the hazardous waste off the streets and into our drinking supply, I have researched some alternatives to act on. When PWD gives away rain barrels, it's the Spruce Creek 54 Gallon Rain Barrels, that sell for $164.99 on their website. A 60-gallon size (pictured above) can be purchased for $99 from Home Depot, or if you have a food-grade waterproof barrel you can make one. It's important that you know what was in the barrel before reusing it. Whatever your budget, there are options to collect the water, beautify your garden, and improve stormwater management.