CITYWIDE — The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) partnered with officials, community boards and neighborhood groups over the summer to give away 7,622 rain barrels to residents, DEP announced Wednesday. The 60-gallon rain barrels connect directly to a property’s gutter or downspout to capture and store stormwater that falls on the roof. The water collected in the barrel reduces the amount of stormwater that enters the city’s sewer system, helping to alleviate flooding and sewer overflows into waterways.
As an added benefit, homeowners can store rainwater and use it for outdoor chores, like watering a lawn or garden or washing a car, reducing water consumption and saving on water bills.
