LYNN — The City of Lynn has partnered with The Great American Rain Barrel Company to offer residents discounted rain barrels as part of an ongoing effort to promote water conservation.
Residents can purchase barrels to collect and store rainwater for outdoor use, reducing demand on the municipal water system. Orders must be placed by midnight on March 27, with pickup scheduled for April 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lynn Department of Public Works (DPW).
“The City’s water supply continues to require close monitoring and thoughtful usage by residents,” Mayor Jared C. Nicholson said. “There is a need for ongoing discussion and education about the importance of water conservation. I appreciate the work of the DPW to make these rain barrels available to residents and look forward to further collaboration with the Lynn Water and Sewer Commission.”
Lynn is one of many surrounding Massachusetts towns committed to water conservation through this initiative.
Reservoir levels, which had dropped to 45.3% capacity last October, have since improved. According to Richard Dawe, water treatment supervisor at Lynn Water and Sewer Commission, reservoir levels currently sit at 68%, 13% below the seasonal average of 81% but a recovery from February, when levels were 25% below average.
“We’ve made up about 12 percent,” Dawe said. “By April 1, the way things are going, we expect to be back to average. We know this time of year, many people are not using outside water yet, so we are keeping the signs up until April when we can confirm we are at a larger capacity.”
Lisa Nerich, associate commissioner at the Department of Public Works, emphasized the benefits of rain barrels in water conservation efforts.
“Rain barrels help conserve water, protect the environment, and can contribute to healthier gardens while reducing utility costs and outside water use,” Nerich said.
Officials continue to encourage conservation as part of a broader push for sustainability.
For more information or to purchase a rain barrel, visit GreatAmericanRainBarrel.com/community.
