The Greer Commission of Public Works (Greer CPW) and the University of South Carolina Upstate Watershed Ecology Center are partnering to get a new round of rain barrels into the community.
Rain barrels are large containers that help homeowners store excess rainwater for personal use. Greer CPW and the Watershed Ecology Center have partnered for many years to sell these barrels, with the latest sale happening right now ahead of Lake Robinson Day.
“The rain barrels are 55-gallon drums, and they come to us donated from Coca-Cola Bottling Company,” said Beth Button, director of the Watershed Ecology Center. “They contained syrups that were used to make Coca-Cola beverages, and they cannot be reused as food-grade. So Coca-Cola is trying to avoid the landfill by passing on the drums for a more useful purpose.”
The barrels are $55 each, which covers the cost of the installation kit. Residents can order the barrels online and pick them up at Greer CPW’s Lake Robinson Day on Saturday, Oct. 17. According to Greer CPW officials, the sale will end on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 5 p.m. No barrels will be sold the day of the event.
In addition to helping homeowners save money on watering costs, Button says the rain barrels have a significant environmental impact. The containers can help reduce stormwater runoff and conserve water during periods of drought.
“When we have rain events, a lot of the water soaks into the ground, but some of it becomes runoff … It collects extra herbicides, pesticides and litter, sweeps it up with it, and that ends up in a nearby stream, creek, lake or reservoir,” Button said. “By storing this excess water, we’re helping to limit stormwater runoff. We’re also keeping our water in Spartanburg County, which is important during drought years.”
To learn more about the rain barrel program or how to purchase, visit the Watershed Ecology Center’s website.
