City of Lockport, IL
06/28/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/28/2022 12:32
Rain Barrel & Composter Sale
(Please note, only terra cotta and black colors are available)
2022 Sale Information:
- Sale ends July 21 (mail-in orders are due July 18)
- Limit of 1 subsidized rain barrel AND 1 subsidized composter per household
- Participants must be City of Lockport residents, eligibility will be verified by City of Lockport (unincorporated areas do not qualify)
- Pickup will be July 25-29 at Public Works, 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- To order online and learn more about the sale, visit: https://upcycle-products.com/il-programs/lp/
How to Install a Rain Barrel
The Conservation Foundation webinar below explains how to set up a Rain Barrel and create a Rain Garden at home. Or view this guide (PDF) for step-by-step instructions.
Reduce Flooding and Protect Rivers with Rain Barrels
Rainwater is a Precious Fresh Water Resource
When we think of our stormwater as a precious fresh water resource, it does not make sense to manage it like a waste product. There is a finite amount of fresh water on earth and we can all take steps to protect it, starting with collecting it where it falls!
When we catch and collect the rainwater that falls on our houses, we reduce local flooding and stress on storm sewer system infrastructure while keeping pollutants out of our rivers and streams. We also end up with a bunch of clean water that is perfect for watering lawns and gardens, washing cars or the family dog, and offsetting household water usage in many other ways.
Estimates indicate that a quarter-inch of rain falling on an average home yields over 200 gallons of water. One simple, efficient, low-cost method to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff from your property is to use rain barrels.
What is a Rain Barrel?
Rain barrels are simply large containers that capture stormwater from your roof that would otherwise be lost as runoff. Modern rain barrels are sealed, safe around children and insect resistant - they can even be painted or decorated to your liking. You can divert water from your downspout to fill your rain barrel and a hose spigot on the front makes the water easy to access and use.
Around 40% of total household water used during the summer months is for watering lawns and gardens. Rainwater does not contain chlorine, lime or calcium which makes it ideal for watering your flowers and vegetable garden or washing your car or windows. You may even notice a decrease in your water bill!
Even if you do not have an intended use for the water, emptying the rain barrel after a storm reduces the rate and volume of stormwater the storm sewer system and our rivers have to manage at a peak time.
Other Information:
What is Compost?
Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up more than 30 percent of what we throw away, and could be composted instead. Making compost keeps these materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Benefits of composting include:
- Enriches soil, helping retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests.
- Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
- Encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-filled material.
- Reduces methane emissions from landfills and lowers your carbon footprint.
Composting Basics:
Your compost pile should have an equal amount of browns to greens. You should also alternate layers of organic materials of different-sized particles. The brown materials provide carbon for your compost, the green materials provide nitrogen, and the water provides moisture to help break down the organic matter.All composting requires three basic ingredients:
- Browns - This includes materials such as dead leaves, branches, and twigs.
- Greens - This includes materials such as grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds.
- Water - Having the right amount of water, greens, and browns is important for compost development.