Why save Rain Water….The average household in the US uses about 250 gallons per day. Most of that water comes through sophisticated water treatment plants. Seventy percent of that very costly water suitable for human consumption is used outdoors!
Yet splashing off your roof is tens of thousand of gallons delicious fresh rainwater suitable (and in some cases preferred) for a multitude of outdoor uses.
That water coming off your roof could go a long way to offset that consumption and save on $$$$ Irrigation and Water bill costs $$$$
It is that time of year again to start thinking about water conservation and saving rain water. Rain fall is hard to gauge. Harvesting rain water with a rain barrel can mitigate the irregular patterns of rainfall. To help homeowners and the town manage their water supplies, Ashland is offering residents the opportunity to purchase rain barrels at a discount.
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
only part of the problem. Storm water runoff creates additional havoc. Capturing and storing water at the
home and the use of raingardens are the two most effective ways to minimize storm water runoff.
Each year homeowners face higher prices for water and sewer. Saving rain water helps homeowners hedge
against the rising cost of water. Rain water is a free healthy alternative; it is organic, has no chlorine and no chemicals. It is an excellent water source for plants, gardens, lawns and any non-potable use.
Regular use of a rain barrel can pay for itself in one season. One tenth of an inch of rain on a 1000 square foot
roof --about 25 minutes of moderate rainfall-- will fill a 60-gallon Rain Barrel. New England typically receives
17” of rain during the growing season from May through September. This provides enough water to fill 170
Rain Barrels. At 2 cents a gallon - homeowners can expect to save $204 worth of water.
Droughts stress residential landscaping and town water facilities. In 2016, 168 communities in Massachusetts
faced restrictions on nonessential outdoor water use - 47% of the Cities and Towns in the state. There is no
restriction on rainwater use.
Ashland chose to work with the Great American Rain Barrel Co., 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. Great American Rain Barrel Co
has been an approved vendor by the MASSDEP for the state since 2010. Barrels are being offered to residents for
$55 and will be available for pick up on April 19th at the Ashland DPW, 20 Ponderosa Rd, Ashland, MA. To participate
in the Town Water Program and find out more about the barrels, please visit: www.ashlandmass.com and
search for the 2018 rain barrel order form.
Typically on retail they cost anywhere from 80-100$. Town of Ashland provides them for a highly discounted price for its residents! They are only 55$ for the barrel.
Here is more information on how the barrels can be set up and how they work: https://www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/
Order your rain barrels by April 11th, 2018.
Click on the link below to print and fill out the form. Bring it to DPW with your check payment OR Mail it in!...
Our Address: Department of Public Works, 20 Ponderosa Road, Ashland MA-01721
http://ashlandmass.com/DocumentCenter/View/3278
Order by April 11th and pickup on April 19th, 2017 at the DPW facility. LETS CAPTURE THOSE APRIL SHOWERS !!!