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Office of Governor Pat Quinn

Operation Homefront Illinois Main Street Clean Water Healthy Communities

Rain Barrels

Rain barrels are another sustainable infrastructure solution that controls stormwater runoff, improves water quality in local lakes and streams and saves money by collecting rainwater and storing it for later use.

To learn more about rain barrels.Watch this short video from HGTV.

The water stored in rain barrels is excellent for watering thirsty plants around your home or in your garden   because of its slight acidity, which helps plants absorb the soil’s minerals, and because it contains no added chemicals.

In addition to being linked together to add capacity, rain barrels can also be combined with rain gardens to provide a source of water for the garden during dry periods. Rain barrels can also be decoratively painted like this one. Sunflower rain barrel

By disconnecting your downspouts and redirecting water into a rain barrel and raingarden, you can do your part to protect our water supply.

 

For more information on rain barrels: