Three North San Diego County water districts have launched a combined effort to encourage residents to use rain barrels with a discount and rebate for their purchase Jan. 1 through Feb. 29.
Through the promotion — announced by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District, San Dieguito Water District and Santa Fe Irrigation District on Wednesday, Dec. 20 — residents can purchase 50-gallon barrels for a sale price of $97 and then receive a $35 rebate from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, bringing the total cost to $62 per barrel.
Rain barrels capture and store rainwater from roofs for later use in irrigating gardens, lawns and indoor plants.
“Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels reduces the amount of water that flows from your property,” the Environmental Protection Agency explains. “It’s a great way to conserve water and it’s free water for use in your landscape.”
Information about ordering the barrels is available at olivenhain.com/events. Rebate applications can be found at socalwatersmart.com. Residents can pick up their rain barrels at the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, located at 137 North El Camino Real in Encinitas.
“Collecting rainwater for future use not only can save drinking water, but also reduces irrigation runoff that can carry pollutants into local waterways and beaches,” the water districts stated in their news release announcing the promotion.
While San Diego County averages about 10 inches of rain annually, rain barrels can help conserve water for irrigation in times of drought.
“Even light rain events can provide a sufficient amount of water for later use,” the water districts’ news release stated.
A roof with 2,000 square feet of surface area can collect about 300 gallons from a quarter inch of rain.
