New York City's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Rain Barrel Giveaway Program

As part of its citywide stormwater management effort to reduce stormwater runoff and create a more livable, sustainable city, DEP initiated the Rain Barrel Giveaway Program in spring 2008 and distributed 250 barrels to homeowners in Queens Community Boards 12 and 13. Rain barrels capture stormwater from your roof and store it for future use such as watering your lawn or garden. Initiated by the Jamaica Bay Watershed Protection Plan, DEP targeted neighborhoods with the watershed for the second phase of the pilot program in 2009 . The DEP received a tremendous response for the program and distributed 750 barrels in 2009.

The Rain Barrel Giveaway Program is a key part of DEP's broader, citywide effort to better manage stormwater using a variety of innovative, sustainable techniques known as best management practices, or BMPs. Improved stormwater management is an important component of Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC initiative and Sustainable Stormwater Management Plan, plans for a greener, more livable city by 2030.

Results of Phase One of the Pilot Program
In 2008, DEP distributed 250 rain barrels to eligible homeowners in southeastern Queens. Homeowners attended DEP training workshops to learn how to install, use and maintain rain barrels and received a complete kit and instructions with their rain barrel to allow them to install the rain barrel to their downspout themselves. DEP has been following-up with homeowners to see how the rain barrel is working and collected homeowner evaluations in fall 2008.

Due to the overwhelming response among homeowners in the selected pilot areas, the program filled up quickly. Homeowner evaluation results collected over the past year have shown homeowner acceptance and excitement with the Rain Barrel Program.

NOTE: The above summary was taken directly from the NYC DEP website.

For more information about this program, go to New York's Department of Environmental Protection Rain Barrel Program web page