Rain barrel sale under way for area residents

Rainwater is a high quality source of water, and when it is collected on roofs and stored appropriately, it represents a sustainable source of water.

This water is ideal for use inside and outside the home. When it is used for toilet flushing, laundry and garden use alone, it can reduce water use in a typical household by as much as 70 percent.

How do you capture this rainwater? You do this by installing a rain harvesting system. And one of the easiest and most affordable ways is by installing an above ground rain barrel.

The Watauga County Cooperative Extension, Watauga County Soil and Water Conservation and the town of Boone are putting together a Rain Barrel Sale for the residents of Watauga County.

People must pre-order and pre-pay by Friday, April 3. Stop by the Cooperative Extension (971 West King St.) or the Town of Boone Public Services (321 East King St.) to drop off payment.

These barrels are manufactured in North Carolina out of 100 percent recycled plastic. They are black, which reduces any algae issues, have two spigot locations and two overflow options. They are mosquito proof and have a three-year warranty. They cost $90 and they are easy to assemble.

Similar barrels sell on line for $149 (www.rainwatersolutions.com).

“Because we are purchasing in bulk, we are getting big savings that we can pass along to the community,” a county spokesperson said.

For more information, call the extension office at (828) 264-3061, the town of Boone at (828) 268-6250, or Watauga County Soil and Water at (828) 264-0842.