Rain Barrel Programs
What is a Rain Barrel?
A rain barrel is a container that collects and stores rainwater - usually from rooftops and downspouts.
For centuries people have been collecting rainwater to meet their water needs.
Collecting rain water is an easy way to conserve water during drier summer months while also reducing the amount of stormwater runoff that enters our lakes and streams.
Resources for homeowners wishing to learn more:
How can I get a rain barrel?
Sign up for a rain barrel workshop today!
(Register Online)
We currently have four different rain barrel programs underway.
To find out if you qualify, see details below:
Rain Barrel Program
This program, sponsored through the City of Bellingham Public Works Operations Water Conservation Program, sells 55-gallon rain barrels to the public at a cost of $25 per barrel. The barrels are blue in color, food-grade HDPE plastic and include an installed hose bib and overflow valve. Customers must supply a screen for the inflow hole and are responsible for installation. A Rain Barrel Guide is included with each purchase.
Unavailable at this time. Please consider one of our other rain barrel programs below.
Interested customers should contact the City’s Water Conservation Assistant at 360-778-7971 or AHood@cob.org to inquire about rain barrel availability.
When available, customer must pay the $25 per barrel fee at the Finance Department at City Hall (210 Lottie Street, 8am-5pm M-F) and then pick-up the rain barrel(s) at the Public Works Operations facility (2221 Pacific Street, 7:30am-4pm M-F).
Customers MUST arrange day/time pick-up with Water Conservation Assistant PRIOR to pick-up of the barrel, as the barrel(s) must be transferred to the front counter from the warehouse.
Residential Stormwater Retrofit Program (RSRP)
This program is funded through a grant from the WA Department of Ecology and
administered through the City of Bellingham Storm & Surface Water Department.
The RSRP provides and installs 95-gallon capacity rain barrels (2-4 per
residence) at no cost to qualifying homes. The rain barrels may be available to
homes in the:
1. City-portion of the Lake Whatcom Watershed. Qualifying homes are identified on a map of the project boundaries.
2. Infiltration & Inflow program. Qualifying homes are identified by a master list containing addresses of homes with downspouts still connected to the City’s sanitary sewer system.
The City’s Rain Barrel Installer determines RSRP eligibility by address verification and site assessment.
See Programs and Projects for more details.
Anitra Accetturo, Water Conservation Specialist at 360-778-7732 or AAccetturo@cob.org
Eli Mackiewicz, Rain Barrel Installer at 360-778-7742 or EMackiewicz@cob.org
Voluntary Metering Program Incentive
If you are a City of Bellingham residential water customer and sign up for a free water meter through the VMP, you are eligible to purchase a 65-gallon rain barrel for a reduced price of $45, while supplies last. The VMP rain barrels are black, 65-gallon capacity, 100% recycled plastic, and made in the USA.
The customer submits a
voluntary water meter application and the Water Conservation Specialist will
contact the customer with instructions for purchase and pick-up of the $45 rain
barrel.
This offer is available only for City of Bellingham residential water customers with a limit of one per household. For this program, the customer purchases, picks up, and installs the rain barrel themselves.
Homeowner Incentive Program (HIP)
This program is funded through a grant from the WA Department of Ecology and administered through the City of Bellingham Storm & Surface Water Department. Within project eligibility area, the Lake Whatcom Homeowner Incentive Program provides support and reimbursement for projects that reduce water running off residential properties. In addition to rainwater collections systems, other lake-friendly projects may be eligible for up to $1000 reimbursement for project materials. Eligible City residents will receive guidance from City staff regarding project options and assistance with project design and permitting. Residents will complete the projects and be reimbursed for money spent on project materials in compliance with reimbursement agreement.
Project eligibility area includes:
1. City of Bellingham residents living around Basin One in the City’s portion of the Lake Whatcom Watershed.
2. Whatcom County residents living in the County portion of the Silver Beach Creek Watershed.
Check out our Homeowner Incentive Program page for more details and contact information.
