Town of Saugus Promotes Water Conservation, Sustainability through Rain Barrel Giveaway
(Saugus, MA) June 12, 2017 – Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree, the Planning and Development Department, and the Department of Public Works are excited to announce that the Town of Saugus, in conjunction with the Great American Rain Barrel Company, will offer free rain barrels to 25 Saugus households in order to promote water conservation and sustainability.
This giveaway is part of the Town’s “Saugus Saves the Rain” initiative, which aims to reduce water consumption and reduce the amount of storm water entering the Town’s sewer system.
Rain barrels are an excellent way to accomplish these goals, as well as to help lower water bills and curb water usage during droughts. Each rain barrel captures up to 60 gallons of rain, filling quickly with just an eighth-inch of rain. Rain barrels can individually capture thousands of gallons of water each year that residents can use for lawns and gardens instead of having it flow into the sewer system.
“We are excited to offer residents an easy way to collect and save water, and to help manage their water costs,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree. “If every home in Saugus has just one rain barrel, our community could potentially eliminate 660,000 gallons of runoff for every eighth-inch of rain. It’s a significant source of water that residents can be using for free, and the widespread use of rain barrels could help reduce the Town’s long-term sewer management costs. The barrels can also help address the systemic storm water infrastructure challenges, in turn resulting in the reduction of taxpayers’ expenses.”
The installation of rain barrels requires minimum work and little maintenance. Each barrel is 39 inches tall and 24 inches in diameter, and weighs 20 pounds when empty. Each rain barrel comes with an overflow elbow and spigot, and residents simply connect a hose in the spigot of the rain barrel for use watering lawns and gardens.
The rain barrels, which have a retail value of $119, will be given to 25 residents for free through a Town lottery. Interested residents can fill out a lottery form in the Planning and Development Department, located in the lower level of Saugus Town Hall, 298 Central Street. Residents have until 4 p.m. on Monday, June 26, 2017 to enter. This giveaway is only available to Saugus residents, so proof of address at the time of entry is required.
Winners will be announced on Tuesday, June 27, 2017. Rain barrels will be available for pick-up at Town Hall.
For more information, contact Town Planner Krista Leahy at 781.231.4044 or kleahy@saugus-ma.gov.
For more information on the Great American Rain Barrel Company, visit www.GreatAmericanRainBarrel.com.
About The Town of Saugus
The Town of Saugus, Massachusetts, is a family-friendly, historic neighborhood Town located along the north shore, ten miles north of Boston. First settled in 1629, Saugus is home to historic sites, top-tier public services, and a thriving business community. Strong community support, a forward-thinking approach to town government, rich recreational opportunities, affordable choices, and easy access to all the amenities that Boston has to offer – they all contribute to make Saugus a Town where businesses flourish and families make their home.
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