Rain Garden Presentations: Several workshops on rain gardens and/or rain barrels are often conducted by local organizations. Please contact these organizations for more specific topics and upcoming dates. Rain garden presentations available to local neighborhood and service groups from Harry Sheehan, in the Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner's Office.
Spring 2008 Rain Barrel Truckload Sale: The Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) will be doing another mass purchase of rain barrels this Spring, which we will distribute to individuals and businesses throughout the community. The bulk order will allow the 60-gallon rain barrels to be sold at a significantly reduced price of $90 each (retail $124.95). A total of 500 rain barrels will be sold. Rain barrels are on sale through the Huron River Watershed Council website (www.hrwc.org/rainbarrels/) on a first come, first serve basis. All rain barrels are pre-ordered by using a credit card via a secure online payment or by completing a "Rain Barrel Form" and sending in a check to HRWC. Both ways can be accessed through HRWC's website (http://www.hrwc.org/rainbarrels/).
Rain barrel pick up is on May 4th from 1-4 PM at Huron High School. You MUST be able to pick up the rain barrel on this day and at this time or else your rain barrel will be forfeited and donated to a local area non-profit. If you are able to find a friend or family member to pick up the barrel for you, you must contact HRWC to give us name of the person who will be picking up your barrel. Anyone is welcome to purchase a rain barrel. There is a limit of 10 barrels per household.
The rain barrel sale coincides with new storm water rates in the City of Ann Arbor, which offers a $1.79 quarterly credit ($7.16 annually) to any residency with at least one rain barrel. Rain barrels serve an important role in stormwater reduction, by collecting water that would otherwise run directly into storm sewers and using it on home gardening projects or lawn care. For more information, please check out the HRWC webpage, phone (734) 769-5123 ext. 20 or email dbouma@hrwc.org.