Rain Barrel Program in Second Year

We’ve had several rainy days lately. Now, instead of complaining about them, you can put that rainwater to good use.

For the second year in a row, the village of Montgomery has partnered with the Conservation Foundation to provide rain barrels for village residents. The 55-gallon barrels cost $65 this year, down from $70 last year, and you can use them to collect rain water for gardening, yards and house plants.

The rain barrels are made of recycled plastic, and are securely covered to keep them safe around children. They are equipped with a screen to keep insects and debris out, and have a valve at the bottom for hoses.

The Conservation Foundation estimates that the average homeowner uses 40 percent of its household water in the yard, so this will cut down on water bills considerably. It will also help prevent flooding, since the rainwater collected in the barrels won’t make its way into the Fox River all at once.

Brochures are available at , 200 N. River St., and more information is available on websites for the village and the Conservation Foundation. The barrels can be pre-ordered through May 18, and will be available on May 24 at Village Hall.