Reduce bills, protect San Diego County's watersheds - County to host event to sell rain barrel systems Sept. 26 at Village Square

SAN DIEGO – People can learn how to save money, help the region’s beaches, streams and waterways and, if they live in the unincorporated County, get a chance to buy a 55-gallon rain barrel system for half-price from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26 at Fallbrook’s Village Square.

When connected to a roof downspout, a rain barrel can collect and store the rainfall that runs off rooftops. Even though rain is scarce in San Diego County, just one inch of rain falling on a 1,000 square-foot roof can harvest up to 600 gallons of water. Homeowners can use that water for gardening and other non-potable uses. At the same time, they can lower their water-bills and prevent storm water runoff that carries pesticides, grease, sediments and trash directly to local waterways when rainfall runs off cement, asphalt and saturated soils.

Up to 200 rain-barrel systems will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis to unincorporated county residents for $30.35 plus tax at the Sept. 26 event. The County’s Watershed Protection Program is hosting the event and subsidizing the rain-barrel purchases for unincorporated county residents, with a limit of one barrel per person. City residents, and residents of unincorporated areas who want to buy additional rain barrels, can buy them for the regular price of $60.69, plus tax.

Each rain-barrel system will include a white, 55-gallon barrel, a downspout diverter, an installation guide and a one-year warranty. To be eligible for the subsidized, discounted price people must prove they live in homes in one of the County’s unincorporated areas by showing a driver’s license, utility bill or home ownership record, and must fill out an application form and maintenance agreement. People can pay for the systems with cash, check or credit card.

Village Square is located on the corner of Main Avenue and Alvarado Street.

For more information, visit

http://www.rethinkwateruse.org.