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Winners of the 25 rain barrels will be announced Monday, June 27.
SAUGUS — Free rain barrels will be given to 25 Saugus households to promote water conservation and sustainability.
“We are excited to offer residents an easy way to collect and save water, and to help manage their water costs,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree in a statement. “If every home in Saugus has just one rain barrel, our community could potentially eliminate 660,000 gallons of runoff for every eighth-inch of rain.”
The barrels, which have a retail value of $119 each, will be given to residents for free through a town lottery. Interested residents can fill out a lottery form in the Planning and Development Department, located in the lower level of Saugus Town Hall.
The giveaway is part of the town’s “Saugus Saves the Rain” initiative to reduce water consumption and reduce the amount of stormwater entering the town’s sewer system. The barrels are provided by the town, in conjunction with the Great American Rain Barrel Company. Each is 39 inches tall and 24 inches in diameter can hold up to 60 gallons of rain that can be used for lawns and gardens. They come with an overflow elbow and spigot and can be connected to a hose for watering purposes.
“It’s a significant source of water that residents can be using for free, and the widespread use of rain barrels could help reduce the town’s long-term sewer management costs,” said Crabtree. “The barrels can also help address the systemic storm water infrastructure challenges, in turn resulting in the reduction of taxpayers’ expenses.”
Residents can apply for the lottery until 4 p.m. on Monday, June 26. Winners will be announced the following day.
For more information, contact Town Planner Krista Leahy at [email protected].