Using rain barrels to catch and store rain water is a very old practice that is now making a comeback. Today’s rain barrels are equipped so that they can easily be connected to your downspout, have overflow devices in case the fill up, and have screens and other elements that prevent mosquitoes from becoming a problem. Rain barrels are a great source of water during those especially dry periods and can help significantly reduce your water bill. They can be used in conjunction with a rain garden, a conventional garden, or even if you just want a supply of water for your lawn.
Each year the Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District offers rain barrels at cost during their annual plant sale, typically held in April. For more information, contact the Soil & Water Conservation District via email or by calling (513) 732-7075.
Other local resources include:
Park + Vine
Locally made by Cincy Rain Barrels
www.parkandvine.com
Phone: 513- 721-7275
Cincy Rain Barrels
Locally made rain barrels
Dylan Tennison- 513-600-1025
cincyrainbarrels@gmail.com
Vision Trek/ McKie Recreation Center
Locally made rain barrels by Cincinnati youth
Don Brannen- 513- 681-8247
Don.brannen@cincinnati-oh.gov
Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati
Do it Yourself Rain Barrel Kits
Peter Huttinger- 513-221-0981; phuttinger@civicgardencenter.org
http://civicgardencenter.org
Marvin's Organic Gardens
www.marvinsorganicgardens.com
Phone: 513- 932-3319
Green City Resources
Green Roofs, Rain gardens, Bio-retention, etc…
Pam Simmons and Rose Seeger
www.greencityresources.com
FourwaterLLC
Barrels with planters on top, Buy in bulk
Mitzi Bender- 859-619-9288
mbender@insightbb.com or www.raintainer.com
Bi-County Farm Bureau Co-op
Florence, KY
859-371-7932
Industrial Reuse and New Design
Paul White, 513-383-5592
Please let us know at storm@clermontcountyohio.gov if you know of other sources, or if there are problems with the contacts/links above.