Rivercare Rain Barrel Program
Why Rain Barrels?
Rain Barrels are an easy and important way for everyone to conserve water and reduce the amount of pollution being carried into our waterways. When excess water from rain or melting snow starts to flow, it finds its way to our stormwater drains. On its way there, it picks up any materials or particles that it comes in contact with, and carries them down the drain and into the waterways (i.e. Scajaquada Creek, Buffalo River, Niagara River). These materials can include: debris, soil, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, engine oil, gasoline, grease, radiator fluid, litter, etc. Setting up a rain barrel beneath a downspout collects fallen rain and preserves it.
- It prevents that rain from running down the street and into the closest stormwater drain.
- It prevents sewer systems from overflowing and spilling untreated wastewater into local waterways.
- You can use this water to water your garden or wash your car, and whatever else you think of.
- Residents of Buffalo, Erie, and Niagara Counties: do your part to save water and reduce the amount of polluted runoff entering our streams, creeks, rivers, and lakes. Help us keep the rain from the drain! Set up a rain barrel!
What about Water Treatment Plants?
Buffalo–along with 771 other communities across America–operates a sewer system remaining from the nation’s early infrastructure called a “Combined Sewer System.” In theory, Combined Sewer Systems should collect all forms of wastewater (rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, industrial wastewater) and carry them to a sewage treatment plant to be treated before being discharged back into a body of water. Unfortunately, in periods of heavy rainfall or melting snow, the volume of wastewater can exceed the capacity of the sewer system. This results in a combined sewer overflow, where excess wastewater is discharged directly into nearby streams, rivers, or other waterways. These overflows are not just stormwater; they contain human waste, industrial waste, debris, pollutants, toxic materials, and any other particles that the runoff has collected. Using a rain barrel prevents water from reaching the ground, thereby prevents it from collecting pollutants during runoff on its way to the drain, lessens the amount of water entering the sewer system, and lessens the amount of untreated water that is discharged during an overflow.
The EPA provides much more information regarding Combined Sewer Systems and overflows, which can be found here. Take the time to find out more about your water.
Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER is now donating RAIN BARRELS!
To be eligible, your site must be considered a high visibility site and must contain an external gutter system. This is an educational opportunity to get 161 rain barrels into the public view in order to demonstrate the importance of rain barrels. For more information, Rain barrel donation information
FILL OUT THESE TWO FORMS and RETURN VIA FAX, EMAIL or MAIL…
Rain Barrel Donation Request Form
Donated Rain Barrel Maintenance Agreement
Rain Barrel Workshops
Come to a rain barrel workshop to learn about how and why it is so important to use a rain barrel.
Fresh Food for the Falls: Green Gardening Workshop Series
April 10th: 12pm-2pm: Rain Barrel Workshop.
April 24th: 12pm-2pm: Rain Garden Workshop.
Pre-registration is required by January 27th. Contact lseverson@niagara.edu
Located: 3001 9th St. Niagara Falls, NY 14305
RIVERKEEPER rain barrels…
have the capacity to hold 60 gallons of rain water, stand 39″ tall by 24″ wide, and weigh approximately 20 lbs. empty. Colors are available in Earth Brown, Forest Green, and Nantucket Gray. Built with a durable wall with a thickness of 3/16″, these barrels are one of the most durable on the market. Each UV protected polyethylene barrel is made in the USA from a recycled food grade shipping barrel.
Your rain barrel comes complete with installation instructions, overflow fitting, drain plug, screw on cover with a mosquito-preventing screen, and a threaded spigot positioned 14″ from ground level.
For more information, please see our FAQ-Frequently Asked Questions sheet. We hope you find it helpful and informative.
Listen to our Radio Spot
How to Order
Please take a moment and complete this form.
Payment
Purchase for $99.95 plus tax. For purchases of 10 barrels or more, you will receive a 10% group discount!
Small Diverter (2”x3”): $25.95+tax
Large Diverter (3”x4”): $27.95+tax
Rain barrels may be purchased with cash, check or money order. You can pay in person Monday through Friday 9 AM -4:30 PM, or mail payment to:
Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER
Attn: Rain Barrels
1250 Niagara Street
Buffalo, NY 14213
To pay by Credit Card:
- Call Riverkeeper office, 716-852-7483, to charge your credit card by phone or pay by credit card here.
As rain barrels are recycled and transported with limited packaging, they may have small blemishes. All sales are final. There will be a $35 fee on all returned checks.
Rain Barrel Pickup
Please call (716) 852-7483 to schedule your rain barrel pick up. Barrels that are not picked up within two weeks of your scheduled time will be returned to our inventory and re-sold, no refunds.
The Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper office is located at 1250 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY 14213 and is open Monday – Friday from 9am – 4:30pm.
Click here for map to our office.
Transporting Your Barrel
Please bring a vehicle large enough to safely transport your rain barrels. The vehicle should be able to fit a 39” tall by 24” wide barrel. Some older cars may accommodate one barrel in the back seat. You are responsible for loading rain barrels into your vehicle. Riverkeeper is not responsible for any damage to the barrel or to vehicle while loading or transporting the barrel. We do not offer delivery services at this time.
Thanks to our Sponsor!
Riverkeeper Rain Barrel Program has been made possible through a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo. 
We also thank graphic illustrator Tom Fitch for his support.
Questions?
Please contact Kerri Bentkowski at (716) 852-7483 or email kbentkowski@bnriverkeeper.org.
Adrienne Kina at (716)852-7483 ex. 19 or email Akina@bnriverkeeper.org
