SWAMPSCOTT — The town has announced its 2024 Rain Barrel Program, which will provide barrels to residents at a discounted price with the goal of conserving fresh water throughout the spring and summer seasons.
Through a partnership with the Great American Rain Barrel Company, barrels can be purchased for $89 through June 16 and picked up at the Department of Public Works yard on Saturday, June 29 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.
According to a statement from the town, 2023 had the “second-wettest” recorded summer in the Boston area. From June through August, Swampscott saw 20 inches of rainfall in total.
The provision of the 50-gallon barrels will allow residents to use rainwater, as opposed to drinking water, for outdoor purposes, and could reportedly reduce the cost of residents’ water bills by up to 40%.
“I think it’s a wonderful program that allows our residents to purchase a rain barrels at a discounted rate and save money,” Director of Community and Economic Development Marzie Galazka said. “We’re really fortunate because we have the support of the Swampscott Conservancy and some of our other local groups… I hope that residents take advantage of this program.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the use of rain barrels can save households up to 1,300 gallons of water per year. In addition, the agency estimates that 30% of daily water use is for outdoor purposes.
“It’s really great to save water and actually save money too,” Galazka said.
Galazka also noted that the use of the barrels could be beneficial for the town’s watershed by collecting runoff rainwater from gutters and roofs.
The Great American Rain Barrel Company was founded in 1988 in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston. The idea for it originated when founder Suzanne Gebelein and her husband, George, sold a 60-gallon barrel once used to house olives from Spain for their food-importing company to someone who wanted to use it to collect rainwater. Gebelein then combined her resources with her passion for environmental preservation to start the company.
