Rivercare: Rain Barrels, and Green Infrastructure
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.
Does your organization qualify for a free Rain Barrel? Find out here.
How to Pre Order* — NEW PRE-ORDER DATE! –
We are in the process of restocking for the next year and are taking orders! Please contact Kerri Li at (716) 852-7483 ext. 11 to pre-order your rain barrel by August 26th and complete the order form here.
* whether you order online, or come in to our office, we will have you fill out an order form, and pay.
–Payment–
Rain barrels and diverters may be purchased with cash, check, or credit card.
Rain Barrels: $99.95 + 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
To pay by Cash:
1. Come to our office for pick up and pay in person.
To pay by Check:
1. Come to our office for pick up and pay in person.
OR
2. Mail in your check and order form to;
Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPERAttn: Rain Barrels1250 Niagara Street
Buffalo, NY 14213
To pay by Credit Card:
1. Pay by credit card here. and fill out the Order form.
OR
2. Come into our office for pick up and pay in person.
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 ext 11 to schedule your rain barrel pick up time. 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. 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.
First Ward Downspout Disconnect Pilot Program in partnership with the Buffalo Sewer Authority
Rivercare: Green Infrastructure
Click for info on Green Infrastructure (Including Green
Roofs, Rain Gardens, Permeable Pavement, and More!)
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 sewage into local waterways.
- The water can be used 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 released 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, 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.
- A Little Summer St barrel, decorated by its owner
Little Summer St. and Rain Barrels
Buffalo’s own Little Summer Street is a rain barrel demonstration project this year. Twelve homes have been outfitted with rain barrels and diverters by Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER through the EPA and together these 12 rain barrels, are conserving more than 600 gallons of water each time it rains and saving $34/yr from their owner’s water bill. The rain barrels will also divert thousands of gallons of stormwater from the sewers and reduce pollution in the Niagara River. This un-processed, chemical-free water is used in their gardens and fishponds for watering and other outdoor chores.
Downspout Diverter (as seen on right)
Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper is also selling downspout diverters. This metal device is inserted into your cut downspout and acts as an interruption. When it is opened, it diverts the flowing water onto your barrel, when it is closed, it diverts the water down your gutter system as though you had never cut it. A downspout diverter makes for easy maintenance for installing and uninstalling your rain barrel! Buy or order one or more today!
Listen to our Radio Spot
Also Available at These Fine Retailers:
Arbordale Nursery, 480 Dodge Road, Getzville, 688-9125
Blasdell Nursery, 3527 South Park Avenue, Blasdell, 827-5814
Dibble Hardware, S-5726 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, 649-4141
Drews’ Tru Value Hardware, 2245 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, 875-3300
Elbers Landscape Service, 2918 Main Street, Buffalo, 834-2167
Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, 827-1584
Lincoln Park Nursery, 147 Old Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, 692-6100
Lockwood’s Greenhouses, 4484 Clark Street, Hamburg, 649-4684
Mike Weber Greenhouses, 42 French Road, Gardenville, 822-8887
E.H Enterprises, 555 Ransom Road, Grand Island, 774-8377
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.
