Water Cents — Show, Teach, Save

“Arlington is partnering with the Great American Rain Barrel Co. and is offering residents the opportunity to buy discounted rain barrels to help homeowners save money and help the town manage its water supplies,” says, Arlington recycling coordinator Charlotte Milan.

Educating our Children Begins at Home
Researchers have conducted studies to discover methodologies that were successful in helping homeowners and towns manage their water supplies. One solution is to educate children to help combat issues of storm water runoff and involve communities in the process. Children can learn how to harvest rain and runoff from their home’s downspouts and use the water for plants, beds or pots that require moist soil. Rain barrels are also great to use as an outdoor water source to top off your pool or wash your car.

There is No Restriction on Rainwater Use and it is Free.
The price that households must pay to maintain their water supply is increasing rapidly. The cost per unit of water for U.S. consumers has increased 50 percent since 2010, much faster than incomes. By 2022, water bills are projected to be unaffordable for 36 percent of U.S. households.¹

The Wettest Year on Record for Massachusetts.
About 61 inches of rain fell on Massachusetts in 2018 — its wettest year on record — with 3 feet falling in the second half of the year. The 2018 mark was more than 16 inches above the Massachusetts 20th-century average, continuing the slight upward trend in the state’s annual average precipitation.²

Yet… 31% of MA Cities and Towns had Water Bans in 2019 — 29% of which Were Mandatory.
Even with record rainfall, water storage is a problem. Throughout New England, residents depend on infrastructure made in the years following WWII to supply water to far fewer homes. These infrastructures are now heavily taxed. Leaky pipes and water main breaks are a fraction of the problem. Storm water runoff creates additional havoc. Overloaded storm drains can result in untreated pollutants directly entering waterways.

Climate Change and Water are Closely Linked.
Rising temperatures associated with climate change will likely continue to increase precipitation in areas already experiencing record rainfall.  Earth’s warming trend continued in 2019, making it the second-hottest year in NOAA’s 140-year climate record just behind 2016. As the earth’s average temperature continues to rise, we can expect a significant impact on water resources with the potential for devastating effects on these resources.³

How to Purchase and Safely Receive your New Rain Barrel
To find out more about the barrels and participate in The Great American Rain Barrel Program, please visit: www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/ and select your town. Barrels are offered for $79, and will be available for pick up on Thursday, June 18^th, 4:00-7:00pm at the DPW Parking Lot at 51 Grove St, Arlington, MA Deadline for purchase is June 11^th, Midnight. Parking lot pick up will safely comply with Arlington's public health protocols. Residents will remain in their vehicles at all times.

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About the Great American Rain Barrel

The Great American Rain Barrel is a local food importing company that has been repurposing shipping drums into Rain Barrels since 1988. Last year, 30% of Massachusetts Cities and Towns partnered with The Great American Rain Barrel Co., selling over 3000 barrels. The Great American Rain Barrel Co. has been an approved vendor by the MASS DEP since 2010.

For more information contact:

Suzanne Gebelein

(800) 251-2352

Info@tgarb.com 

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1 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/water-bills-rising-cost-of-water-creating-big-utility-bills-for-americans/

2 https://www.noaa.gov/news/2019-was-2nd-hottest-year-on-record-for-earth-say-noaa-nasa

3 https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cag/statewide/rankings/19/pcp/201812