Rain Barrels
Rain Barrel Program
Where to purchase: City Clerk’s office - 20 N. 6th Street (2nd floor)
Where to pick-up: Lafayette Renew 1700 Wabash Avenue -
Call 807-1800 for your curbside pick-up
- Conserve Water
- Help Plants
- Reduce Pollution
- Disclaimer
- Insect Risks
- Barrel Makeup
- Learn More
- Purchasing
- Instructions
- Proper Use
- Teach Others
Conserves Water Supply Resources
Rainwater used from rain barrels helps reduce the amount of water used from underground aquifers.
Rainwater used from rain barrels helps reduce the amount of water used from underground aquifers.
Better for Plants & Gardens
Rainwater stored in rain barrels is a naturally soft water free from minerals, chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals. For this reason, plants respond very well to rainwater. After all, it's what plants in the wild thrive on!
Rainwater stored in rain barrels is a naturally soft water free from minerals, chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals. For this reason, plants respond very well to rainwater. After all, it's what plants in the wild thrive on!
Helps Reduce Stormwater Pollution
Rainwater stored in rain barrels helps reduce the amount of stormwater runoff and the amount of pollutants that are picked up and carried to storm sewers, creeks and the Wabash river.
Rainwater stored in rain barrels helps reduce the amount of stormwater runoff and the amount of pollutants that are picked up and carried to storm sewers, creeks and the Wabash river.
Disclaimer
With proper installation, maintenance and use, your rain barrel should function properly. The City of Lafayette assumes no liability for the installation, maintenance, property damage or injury associated with your rain barrel.
With proper installation, maintenance and use, your rain barrel should function properly. The City of Lafayette assumes no liability for the installation, maintenance, property damage or injury associated with your rain barrel.
Preventing Mosquitoes
Your rain barrel will be equipped with a mosquito screen under the lid to keep mosquitoes and other insects out!
Your rain barrel will be equipped with a mosquito screen under the lid to keep mosquitoes and other insects out!
- Place your barrel on a pervious (landscaped) surface so that overflow water soaks into the ground instead of pooling on paved surfaces.
- Keep your rain barrel lid sealed.
- Keep your barrel free of organic material.
- If you believe mosquitoes are breeding in your rain barrel, empty your barrel completely. This will kill all mosquito larvae that may be in your barrel. If your mosquito netting is intact and there are no leaks where mosquitoes can enter the barrel, your rain barrel should be mosquito-free.
Material
All of the plastic rain barrels are made from recycled food grade barrels. The rain barrels have a screw on top with 1-inch holes, screen mesh to keep out debris and mosquitoes, an overflow male hose connection, a drain valve and a connection to attach additional barrels.
All of the plastic rain barrels are made from recycled food grade barrels. The rain barrels have a screw on top with 1-inch holes, screen mesh to keep out debris and mosquitoes, an overflow male hose connection, a drain valve and a connection to attach additional barrels.
More Information
If you would like more information on Upcycle rain barrels, please visit their website.
Rain Barrel Installation & Winterization Tips
If you would like more information on Upcycle rain barrels, please visit their website.
Rain Barrel Installation & Winterization Tips
Purchasing Your Rain Barrel
- Call Lafayette Renew at 765-807-1800 to verify they have the product in that you desire.
- Pay for your rain barrel at the Lafayette City Clerk's Office located on the 2nd floor of 20 North 6th Street.
- Take your receipt to Lafayette Renew between 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM to pick up your barrel!
- Please pay with cash, check or VISA/Mastercard/Discover.
Instructions for Use
It is a good idea to put your barrel up on a flat, stable platform (concrete blocks, landscaping blocks or other solid support). The added height increases the water pressure and allows you to put a bucket under the spigot to bring water to your indoor plants. A full 55-gallon rain barrel weighs over 450 pounds.
In late Fall, prior to freezing temperatures, you must empty your rain barrel and store it or flip it over. Replace the downspout you saved for the winter. Diverters are available that can easily switch the downspout from filling the barrel to normal operation once the barrel is full.
It is a good idea to put your barrel up on a flat, stable platform (concrete blocks, landscaping blocks or other solid support). The added height increases the water pressure and allows you to put a bucket under the spigot to bring water to your indoor plants. A full 55-gallon rain barrel weighs over 450 pounds.
- Provide overflow hoses or pipes to direct water away from your house foundation for times of high rainfall.
- Keep your rain barrel lid tight at all times to prevent children, animals and insects from entering.
- Measure and cut the downspout. (Keep the cut-off for reattachment in the winter.) Use 2 elbows or a flexible spout attachment to direct the water to the top of the barrel. The end of the downspout should be cut 2-3 inches above the top of the barrel. Downspouts can be cut with a hacksaw. Flexible spouts can be purchased at hardware stores or home centers.
In late Fall, prior to freezing temperatures, you must empty your rain barrel and store it or flip it over. Replace the downspout you saved for the winter. Diverters are available that can easily switch the downspout from filling the barrel to normal operation once the barrel is full.
Rain Barrel Water Uses
Water your flowers, trees, shrubs, and lawn; wash your car; and rinse tools or muddy boots. But remember, you must use the water harvested in your rain barrel or there will be no benefit.
Water your flowers, trees, shrubs, and lawn; wash your car; and rinse tools or muddy boots. But remember, you must use the water harvested in your rain barrel or there will be no benefit.
- Do not drink water from your rain barrel.
- Do not cook or bathe with water from your rain barrel.
Environmental Stewardship
One of the best reasons to start harvesting rainwater with rain barrels is to teach and encourage others to do the same. You will help increase awareness of rainwater collection and in turn, help community at large and the environment. It is always important to remember that every living thing on the planet needs water to survive! So, we as humans must expand our idea of community to include the plants and animals that surround us.
One of the best reasons to start harvesting rainwater with rain barrels is to teach and encourage others to do the same. You will help increase awareness of rainwater collection and in turn, help community at large and the environment. It is always important to remember that every living thing on the planet needs water to survive! So, we as humans must expand our idea of community to include the plants and animals that surround us.