The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will soon begin offering repurposed barrels to help people conserve water for gardening, washing cars and other uses.
The News Journal reports barrels that were once used to import olives and pickles to the country will be repurposed at low cost. Barrels typically sell for about $120, but the agency will sell them for $59 each in April at a site in each county.
“Without a rain barrel, this water would run off your roof and become stormwater, picking up pollutants on its way to a storm drain, stream, lake, bay or ocean,” said Environmental Scientist Sharon Webb of the Division’s Nonpoint Source Program. “By using a rain barrel, you can lower your water bill, conserve well water in the dry season and reduce polluted stormwater runoff.”
The barrels are also great for anyone planning to do some gardening this spring. It’s estimated that 1 inch of rain adds up to 63 gallons of water over 100-square feet.
The terra cotta-colored barrels will be offered April 16 to 18 on a first-come, first-served basis.
Here are pickup locations:
New Castle County: Tuesday, April 16 between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or until all barrels are sold, at the New Castle County District office Maintenance Yard, 2430 Old County Road, Newark.
Kent County: Wednesday, April 17 between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or until all barrels are sold, at the DNREC State Fair Building, located off Route 13 in Harrington on the north end of the Delaware State Fairgrounds just past the Centre Ice Rink.
Sussex County: Thursday, April 18 between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or until all barrels are sold, at the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship, Lewes Facility, next to the Lewes boat ramp, located at 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes.
