Oswego Offering Half-Price Rain Barrels

OSWEGO, IL —The Village of Oswego has announced that residents now can purchase rain barrels for half price, with a portion of the proceeds going to aid environmental causes.

Rain barrels collect rainwater from a house's rooftop, storing it for later use in the garden. This helps conserve water, especially important in Oswego, which gets its water from underground aquifers that are being depleted faster than they are being replenished.

Those using rain barrels also save money on water bills. According to the village, rain water is softer than tap water, so rain barrels are a great way to water delicate plants.

Partnerships with Upcycle Products Inc. and The Conservation Foundation, have allowed the village to offer these rain barrels at discounted rates. A 60-gallon barrel costs $60 plus tax, about half what a person would pay for a similar product on Amazon. The barrels come in four colors and are upcycled from older containers, meaning they are helping to take plastic out of the waste stream. Upgrades for the barrel and a barrel pedestal also can be purchased.

Some of the proceeds from the barrel sales will be donated to The Conservation Foundation. According to its website, the foundation's mission is to improve the health of communities by preserving and restoring open space and natural lands, protecting rivers and watersheds and promoting stewardship of the environment in northeastern Illinois.

Online orders for the rain barrels are due by April 21, while mail-in orders are due by April 19. The barrels will be available during the week of April 26-30, and can be picked up between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Oswego Public Works Facility, 100 Theodore Drive. Residents are asked to bring a copy of their receipt to the pick-up event.