The City of Woonsocket announces it is partnering with the Great American Rain Barrel Company of Hyde Park, MA to offer rain barrels to City residents at a cost of $75—40% off retail of $119, as part of their Conservation and Sustainability program.
“We are offering Rain Barrels to residents to help save cost of water use, vegetation from drought conditions and help our community protect its aquifers.” says Michael Debroisse, Superintendent of the Woonsocket Solid Waste/Engineering. “We encourage residents to use rain barrels because they are such an effective way to collect and save water. A single-family home that uses a rain barrel can collect as much as 10,000 gallons in an average season, which means the rain barrel will pay for itself the first year” Debroisse added.
Rain Barrels are easily connected to downspouts and fill quickly. A barrel holds 60 gallons and fills in 30 minutes of moderate rain. This region annually receives 17” of rain from May through September, so an average roof of 2400 sq. ft. can produce 170 barrels of free rainwater. At our water cost of a penny per gallon, the rain barrel pays for itself in a season.
Gardens need water continually and a rain barrel can provide that irrigation when Mother Nature does not. The Great American Rain Barrel Company recommends one barrel for every 100 sq. feet of garden. For larger gardens, multiple barrels can be easily linked together for additional collection and storage.
Rain barrels are also important in reducing runoff. Runoff from homes and developments can harm existing water sources because they flood storm drains and discharge pollutants. Rain barrels offer chlorine and fluoride-free water, and so are the most natural source of water for plants and gardens.
Woonsocket chose the Great American Rain Barrel Company because of their excellent reputation, their rain barrels’ durability, functionality, and ease of use, and because they have been a locally owned and operated Massachusetts business for over 20 years. Their rain barrels are offered in three colors: Forest Green, Earth
Brown or Nantucket Gray.
Residents can participate in the Woonsocket Program by ordering on the Great American Rain Barrel website www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com, clicking on the Community Programs tab, choosing Woonsocket, then clicking on the product photos and following the prompts. Those without computer access can phone (800)251-2352. Deadline for ordering is Sunday October 18th at midnight. Prepaid barrels will be available for pick-up on Saturday October 24th, 8:00 AM-120:00 PM at the Eco-Depot Collection Event at 1117 River Street, Woonsocket, RI.
Students at Columbia University are filing a federal civil rights lawsuit against the school. They filed the complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights on Thursday, demanding an investigation into the school's actions against pro-Palestinian students. The lawsuit alleges Columbia has mistreated students utilizing their first amendment rights. 
