April Showers! Pick Up Your Free Rain Barrel This Sunday

April showers bring May flowers!

Spring is in the air, so what better time to grab a free rain barrel in order to cut down on your water bill and protect the environment?

Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz is sponsoring a rain barrel giveaway this Sunday at the Manhattan Beach Jewish Center, located at 60 West End Avenue, between Hampton Avenue and Shore Boulevard. The event goes from 10am to 1pm. Barrels are provided on a first come, first serve basis — so get there early!

“New York City started the rain barrel program in 2008 and since then it has become enormously popular with residents who use the stored rainwater to water their lawns, wash their cars, keep their houseplants healthy and manage runoff during rainstorms,” Cymbrowitz said in a press release.

The rain barrels can hold 60 gallons of rainwater at a time and connect directly to a home’s downspout. Once full, the excess water is released and drains normally into the soil and sewer system.

The rain barrels are provided by the Department of Environmental Protection. They can hold 60 gallons of rainwater at a time and connect directly to a home’s downspout. Once full, the excess water is released and drains normally into the soil and sewer system.

The DEP says rain barrels help prevent storm run-off from overwhelming the city’s sewer system — a frequent problem in our community,