City of Evansville Offering Free Rain Barrels to Residents July 20th
When it rains it pours, as they say, and the City of Evansville Storm Water Management Department is giving you another chance to capture several gallons of free water (essentially) with your very own, free rain barrel.
What is the Purpose of a Rain Barrel?
The "too-long-didn't-read" version is basically that a rain barrel helps you cut down on the water you use to water your lawn, your garden, your flowers, etc. by giving you the chance to use the water nature dumped on your home from the sky.
More specifically, from the Environmental Protection Agency:
Rain barrels capture water from a roof and hold it for later use such as on lawns, gardens or indoor plants. Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels reduces the amount of water that flows from your property. It's a great way to conserve water and it's free water for use in your landscape.
How to Claim Your Free Rain Barrel from the City of Evansville
The City has been providing barrels to residents who want them for several years thanks to a partnership with Coca-Cola Refreshments. The 55-gallon, plastic barrels will be available beginning Thursday, July 20th (2023) and can be picked up in the "Back 40" parking lot behind the Civic Center and the Old National Events Plaza on Walnut Street beginning at 11:00 AM.
The announcement from the city did not specify the number of barrels that will be available but did say they will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and that you cannot schedule a pick-up time. So, if you want one bad enough, your best bet is to be at the site by 11:00, if not several minutes before. One thing to note; the barrels that will be available on Thursday will not be decorated like those in the photo above provided by the city. But, once you take one, you can decorate it however you'd like if you want to.