Who Needs Working Water Tanks? Weston’s Rain Barrel Program Is Back

In case you missed last year’s Owl rain barrel post, you can find it here. It’s where I outline that Weston is Queen of the Pigs when it comes to water usage…and guess what? We still are! We’re number 1! Manchester is making a run at us with 97 gallons per person per day, while Weston is full-on 100 gallons per person per day. Yay, team! (please note sarcasm). I do need to send an investigative reporter up to Manchester to see how a town on the ocean with morning fog and damp needs 97 gallons a day. Do they have horses there? Golf? A large pond? I don’t get it. Anyway, we still win.

So why get a rain barrel when you’ve got an irrigation system that can blow the bark of red oaks and saves your green green grass from death by sun? Because rain barrels help the environment by conserving water and can save you money. 

From the town write-up:
Rain barrels provide homeowners with:

  • a supplemental water supply during periods of drought
  • a decreased water bill of up to 40%
  • a healthy, chlorine- and chemical-free water source for plants and gardens
  • improved residential stormwater management
  • slower pollution from runoff

And, though I have noted that there is a large percentage of our town that loves private property rights uber alles, I shall also include the community-mindedness of a rain barrel which will helps the town in:

  • saving its water resources by reducing runoff; 
  • lowering municipal water demands; 
  • saving energy at treatment plants; and 
  • improving residential storm management.  

So, any way you look at it, it’s either a Win (for you) or a Win-Win (for you and the town) or a W-W-W (for you, Weston and the world, cue Man in the Mirror music).

How to Purchase Your Rain Barrel: Limited Time Offer!


A discount is available for Weston residents through the Great American Rain Barrel company. Visit the link to purchase rain barrels.

The deadline to order is May 26, 2022, at midnight. Orders can be picked up from June 7 – 10, 8:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Department of Public Works Facility (180 Boston Post Road By-pass).

PS. How’s your No-Mow-May going? Mine’s going great! Day 17

2 comments

  • Thanks for posting your No Mow May progress! Mine is giving me some anxiety so great to know I’m not the only one doing it. I definitely can see the boundary of the woodchuck foraging zone (no dandelions) and observing some other interesting flowers I’ve never found before.

    • So I admit that I just got in from mowing the front yard. I made it to May 18 there but I started worrying that the neighbors would never speak to me again. I mowed around some of the violets and lilies of the valley, but my dandelions have gone to seed only now. Woodchuck has been busy! The back yard will make it until June 1 and I try to forgive myself by pointing out how many pollinator plants are out in the garden… we all do our best!!

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