PrairieRainHarverster.com
PrairieRainHarverster.com

Rain and melting snow running off parking lots, driveways, and streets collect and transport fertilizers, pet wastes, oil and other pollutants into our rivers and streams via storm drains. Homeowners have several options available to help reduce the amount of stormwater running off their property: using permeable materials for sidewalks, patios and driveways, planting rain gardens and installing rain barrels.

During warmer months average household water use increases, and approximately 40 percent of that amount is for watering outdoor lawns and gardens. Installing one or more rain barrels not only helps capture water that would otherwise become polluted before entering storm drains, it gives you a new source of water for household uses, helping you to use less water from your tap and to lower your water bills.

Support PRN…Protect Our Rivers…Install a Rain Barrel Today

Through a generous donation by Austin Grammer, Prairie Rivers Network has several 55-gallon Prairie Rain Harvester rain barrels which we are selling for $85. All of the proceeds from the sale of these barrels will go to PRN.

Austin uses locally-sourced recycled (canola oil) barrels, which are child and animal safe and also have mesh mosquito/debris screens. If you would like to purchase a rain barrel from PRN, call our office at 217-344-2371.

For Champaign city residents, the Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District is offering a $25 rebate on Austin’s barrels that will be used within town (contact Bruce Stikkers, 217-352-3536, ext. 6, Bruce.stikkers@ilnacdnet.net). For more information on Prairie Rain Harvester rain barrels and sale locations visit www.prairierainharvester.com.

Rain barrels can also be purchased at B. Lime, 12 East Washington Street / Downtown Champaign / Illinois / 217.359.5741. For Champaign County residents, the $25 rebate will be applied right at the register. This money won’t last forever, so don’t wait!

In the Chicago area, The Conservation Foundation (contact Jim Kleinwachter, 630.553.0687 ext. 302, jkleinwachter@theconservationfounddation.org) and Chicago Rain Barrel (www.chicagorainbarrel.com) also offer rain barrels for sale.