The City of Evanston has partnered with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) to offer free rain barrels and free rain barrel delivery to all eligible Evanston residential property owners. The barrels will be provided by the MWRD, but eligible Evanston property owners must submit their request through the City of Evanston (see below for application link).
Rain barrels are rainwater collection systems. They are 55-gallon drums installed outside of residences and connected to downspouts to collect storm water runoff from rooftops. Rainwater can be collected for lawn and garden watering during the hotter summer months, plant watering and car and window washing. Collecting rainwater and using it on your property decreases the amount of water that ends up in Evanston’s stormwater sewer system and the amount of water you have to purchase. Installing rain barrels can help reduced flooding while also saving you money on your water bill and conserving water.
These rain barrels come in four different colors to choose from: 

​Rain Barrel Specs

• 55-gallon rain barrel 34 inches tall, 24 inches wide and 24 inches deep
• Comes complete with all brass spigot, nuts, gasket with standard garden hose connection
• Powder coated stainless steel screen
• Child proof locking lid with screws
• Two-sided connectable overflow hose with hose clip
• Overflow connecting feature to the second barrel
• Installation and maintenance instructions
• Rain barrels carry a limited five-year warranty
• Delivery to MWRD service area
• Manufactured from recycled plastics
• More details here Rain Barrel Specifications.pdf

​What’s So Great About Rain Barrels?Rain Barrels:
• Decrease the amount of water that flows into the City’s waterways, which can decrease the risk of flooding during heavy rain events
• Collect and store rainwater that can then be used for watering lawns, gardens and plants (especially during the dry summer months)
• Reduce tap water usage by allowing residents to use reclaimed rainwater rather than using purified tap water
• Rain barrels come in four colors; choose the color that best suits your landscape
Who is Eligible for Free Rain Barrels?Residential property owners located within the City of Evanston, including:

• Residential property owners residing in the zip codes 60201, 60202 and 60208.
• Single-family homeowners
• Property owners/administrators for multi-unit residential buildings (rental properties and condominium buildings)
• Each multi-unit residential building is allowed to order up to four free rain barrels
• Residential property owners who own multiple residential properties in Evanston are allowed to order up to four free rain barrels per property

Who is Ineligible for Free Rain Barrels?Commercial properties in Evanston are not eligible for free rain barrels, but may purchase rain barrels from http://enviroworld.us/mwrd for $58.
The free MWRD rain barrel distribution program is only open to residential homeowners in the MWRD service area. If you are not an Evanston resident but would like a rain barrel, please check with your municipality to see if it has signed the agreement with the MWRD.
How Do I Get a Rain Barrel?

• Read through information on this site to determine if you need/want a rain barrel and how many would be appropriate for your household (up to four per household)
• Submit a request for the number of barrels you would like to order (click here)
• Receive confirmation that request was submitted
• Your rain barrel(s) will be delivered by a contractor hired by the MWRD. This contractor will recieve your contact information, order specifications and your address. 
• Once your order is processed it may take up to 12 weeks for your rain barrel(s) to be delivered. If you believe it has been longer than 12 weeks and your rain barrel or barrels have not been delivered please call 311 or email sustainability@cityofevanston.org.

Please note that: In order for proper delivery of rain barrels and a post delivery inspection, recipients of rain barrels must consent to providing temporary property access to the MWRD or their delivering contractor and the City of Evanston. MWRD or their delivery contractor will use the access to make a one-time delivery of the rain barrels. The City of Evanston and an MWRD official may conduct annual onsite inspections of delivered rain barrels upon reasonable notice to homeowner(s).
Rain Barrel & Rain Garden ClassesThe City of Evanston in partnership with the Evanston Ecology Center and local landscape contractors will be offering multiple rain barrel and rain garden classes in the spring of 2016 to help answer questions that community members may have related to the program and general property stormwater management practices.
Scheduled classes will take place at the Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd. Evanston, IL as a part of the Evanston Environmental Association's Livable Landscapes Program. Class details below:
Thursday, April 28, 2016 - 6:00 - 8:00 pm - Registration Closed - Class #: 113149A6, you will need this to register
Thursday, May 26, 2016 - 6:00 - 8:00 pm - Register Now - Class #: 113149B6, you will need this to register 
Monday, June 20, 2016 - 6:00 - 8:00 pm - Registration opens May 18th - Class #: 123115, you will need this to register 
Both classes are open to the public and no prior experience or knowledge is required or necessary. Each class will be set up like a workshop where there will be a 30-40 minute presentation from landscaping professionals with expertise in stormwater management and care.The remaining time will be devoted to demonstrating how to utilize your rain barrel(s) and answering questions attendees may have related to flooding or other localized stormwater manangement questions.
InstallationIn order to make your rain barrel functional and to ensure you are receiving all the wonderful benefits that rain barrels can offer, you need to ensure that it is installed properly. The MWRD will provide a rain barrel installation guide to all program participants. If you do not receive one with your delivery or misplace it, please follow the Rain Barrel Installation Guide below.  
Rain Barrel Installation Guide.pdfResources and GuidesThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published research and useful guides for those who are interested in learning more:
Rain Barrels: Mid-Atlantic Region Green Landscaping
For those interested in other actions that can be taken to reduce stormwater runoff, conserve water and increase the health of the regions watersheds be sure to check The Friends of the Chicago River Think! Beyond the Banks program. The program provides information on Eco-Friendly Cleaning Recipes, Overflow Action Days and encourages community members to take the Overflow Pledge. Disconnecting your downspout and installing rain barrels are both recommended actions as a part of the Overflow Pledge and Overflow Action Days. For more information please visit: chicagoriver.org.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

• How many rain barrels can I receive?
  • Each eligible property is allowed up to four free rain barrels. Additional rain barrels can be purchased for $58 each from http://enviroworld.us/mwrd
• How long until I receive my rain barrel?
  • Once your order is processed it may take up to 12 weeks for your rain barrel(s) to be delivered. If you believe it has been longer than 12 weeks and your rain barrel or barrels have not been delivered please call 311 or email sustainability@cityofevanston.org.
• How do I install my rain barrel(s)?
  • A free installation guide will come with the rain barrels when they are delivered. (View and download the Rain Barrel Installation Guide.) 
• What are the benefits of a rain barrel?
  • They decrease the amount of water that flows into the City’s waterways, which can decrease the risk of flooding during heavy rain events. They collect and store rainwater that can then be used for watering lawns, gardens and plants (especially during the dry summer months). They reduce tap water usage by allowing residents to use reclaimed rainwater rather than using purified tap water.
• How do I prevent mosquitos from breeding in my rain barrel?
  • The EPA recommends that in order to prevent mosquitos from breeding rain barrels owners should drain their rain barrels once a week. For more information visit the EPA's Mosquito Control page.
  • Additionally, the City defers to the information the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District (NSMAD) has created in the attached flyer: NSMAD Rain Barrel Flyer_2016.pdf
• What do I do with my rain barrel(s) in the winter?
  • Before winter, it is important to winterize your rain barrels by draining them completely and opening the spigot so water does not accumulate and freeze. You can also store the empty drums upside down so they can drain and stay clean for the following season. If you let water get into your rain barrels during the winter, they may break or crack.
• I need help installing my rain barrel(s). What do I do?
  • The City does not recommend any specific contractors to install rain barrels, but suggests that property owners contact a handyman or plumber experienced with outdoor plumbing fixtures.
• Can I paint/decorate/modify the rain barrels?
  • Yes, once you receive your rain barrels from the MWRD, they are yours and you may do with them as you like in regards to physically modifying them to best suit your needs. That being said, rain barrels must continue to be used for their intended function (connection to a building downspout to capture roof runoff).
• I ordered too many rain barrels and cannot use them all. What do I do?
  • The MWRD will not take back rain barrels that have been delivered.
• How do I know how many barrels I need?
  • First, identify the number of downspouts that are in positions in which you can also place a 55-gallon drum. This will tell you how many rain barrels you can install. Next, decide how much reclaimed water you think you will practically use on things like plant watering, washing, etc.  Another factor in deciding how many barrels you want to request is the proximity of your downspouts to the places where you plan to use the water. If you have gardens on two sides of your building and a driveway where you wash cars on a third, one rain barrel might not be close enough to all three locations, so installing multiple may make more sense.
    
• How big are the rain barrels?
  • They are 55-gallon drums. Generally speaking, rainfall events that occur throughout one day will usually produce far more run off than one 55 gallon barrel can hold. 
    

Questions and Concerns:Kumar Jensen at 847-448-8199 or sustainability@cityofevanston.org
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD)
The District will protect the health and safety of the public in its service area, protect the quality of the water supply source (Lake Michigan), improve the quality of water in watercourses in its service area, protect businesses and homes from flood damages, and manage water as a vital resource for its service area. The District’s service area is 883.5 square miles of Cook County, Illinois. The District is committed to achieving the highest standards of excellence in fulfilling its mission. For more information, contact the Office of Public Affairs at 312-751-6633 or public.affairs@mwrd.org.

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