Order by June 1 and pick up June 6 at Ladson Exchange Park or on June 7 at the Charleston County’s Public Services Building in N. Charleston.
Berkeley County Government and Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium have partnered to offer Ivy classic black 100% recycled rain barrels to residents at a discounted price this month. The normal retail is $129 but through the special partnership, they are only $68 in an effort to encourage residents to conserve water resources and protect water quality. Water collected by the rain barrels can be used for non-potable uses such as irrigation of gardens/lawns and to wash cars and pets.
The rain barrels can be purchased directly through the program’s website, http://www.rainbarrelprogram.org/ashleycooper, using a credit card. There will also be a limited number of rain barrels on the day of the sale through a first come first served basis.
The deadline to purchase rain barrels online is 11 p.m. on Sunday, June 1. The pick-up date is Friday, June 6 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Ladson Exchange Park, 9850 US 78, Ladson or Saturday, June 7, between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at Charleston County’s Public Services Building located at 4045 Bridge View Drive in North Charleston.
Rain barrels capture rainwater from rooftops by connecting to the home’s downspout. This water would typically be sent down the storm drain carrying potential contaminants and contributing to flash flooding.
“The benefit of rain barrel goes two ways – economic benefit and environmental benefit,” said Sonia Shahnaj, Civil Engineer with Berkeley County Engineering. “According to U.S. EPA 40% of total household water use is by lawn and garden watering. Rain barrels can cut your water bill substantially by using the captured rain water later for an outdoor use. At the same time this onsite detention system is protecting the environment by reducing the amount of stormwater runoff, which may be potentially contaminated with pollutants such as excess fertilizers and pet waste, from entering downstream water bodies.”
Berkeley County Government’s Stormwater Management Program works closely with Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium, which has the resources to educate the public.
“Harvesting rainwater is good stewardship practice for conserving and protecting clean water in our community,” said Kimberly Counts, Co-coordinator of the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium. “Rain barrels offer a practical, cost-efficient way to gather and store rainwater at your home for outdoor, non-potable use. Other reasons to collect rainwater include the potential to save money on utility bills over the long term, the ability to control moisture levels around the foundation of your home, to water your garden, and to prevent stormwater pollution.”
The rain barrel program website, http://www.rainbarrelprogram.org/ashleycooper, includes a frequently asked questions section and a video on how to install the rain barrel.
Features of the Ivy rain barrel:
- Made in the U.S.
- 100% recycled plastic
- 50 gallon capacity
- Dimensions 42.5” H x 22” W x 18” L
- Child proof, bug proof lid
- Best-in-class overflow set up
- 3/4″ ball valve easily connects to garden hose
- Three rain barrels easily fit in the backseat of a midsized sedan
- All parts included and ready to set up
- Gravity fed. No pumps required
- Link two or more Ivy barrels together using the overflow hose supplied
SIDEBAR: Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium (from http://www.clemson.edu/public/carolinaclear/consortiums/acsec_home/about.html):
The Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium is a partnership between communities (MS4s), universities, agencies and non-profits working together to implement a regional, watershed-scale stormwater runoff education strategy in the Charleston urbanized area.
- The effort was spearheaded in the Charleston region by Clemson University’s Carolina Clear Program.
- Participating communities include the counties of Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester and the municipalities of Charleston, Folly Beach, Goose Creek, James Island, Isle of Palms, Lincolnville, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Sullivan’s Island, and Summerville.
- Kim Counts and Guinn Garrett co-lead the Carolina Clear efforts in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties.
- “Like” Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ashleycooperstormwater
Reserve your rain barrel:http://www.rainbarrelprogram.org/ashleycooper
