Rain barrels available to Utilities Kingston customers

This spring, Utilities Kingston is selling rain barrels to their customers. The barrels will be delivered to your home, and the cost is added to your next utility bill.

Rain barrels are an excellent way to capture spring showers, and not worry about watering restrictions during the summer season. Utilities Kingston said these rain barrels hold approximately 210 litres; have a child-proof lid and mosquito/debris screen to keep water in the barrel clean and free of pests; and may be connected to other barrels to increase water capture capacity.

According to a release from Utilities Kingston, dated Monday, Apr. 12, 2021, there is no delivery appointment required, and customers do not need to be home to receive their rain barrels.

The barrels cost $56, including HST and contactless delivery, and customers can purchase more than one. The charge will be added to the customer’s Utilities Kingston bill. Only those residents of the municipality of Kingston who receive a utility bill from Utilities Kingston are able to purchase a rain barrel through the utility company.

Rain barrels conserve water and energy

Rain barrels help protect the environment by reducing the amount of treated lake water used for watering gardens, and by diverting rainwater from the sanitary and storm sewer systems, Utilities Kingston said in the release. They help conserve energy by reducing the amount of water and wastewater that Utilities Kingston needs to pump and treat – and save homeowners money by lowering their water consumption.

“Give your growing garden some love with rain water; it contains minerals that make it better for plants than treated tap water,” the utility company said.

Utilities Kingston offers these steps to install your rain barrel:

1. Place the rain barrel on a platform two to three feet off the ground.
2. Cut the existing downspout above the top of the rain barrel then re-install the downspout elbow so that it sits just above the centre of the barrel’s screen. Alternatively, you can use a downspout diverter and run a hose to the rain barrel while leaving the downspout in place.
3. Punch out the overflow hole on one side of the barrel, then connect the barrel’s overflow hose and direct it away from the foundation of your home. 
4. In the winter, simply turn the barrel over so that water does not accumulate and freeze, then re-install the downspout to direct water away from your foundation. 

Rain barrels are easy to install, and multiple rain barrels can be installed in tandem to increase capacity. Just follow the steps above or watch Utilities Kingston’s video.

For more information or to order online, visit www.utilitieskingston.com; or call 613-546-0000, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.