Rain barrel information session tomorrow night

As many as 200 Saint-Lazare residents must attend a rain barrel information session tomorrow night, or risk losing the chance to buy the vessels at a reduced cost.

According to town communications officer Elaine Gadoury, the 200-litre (45-gallon) rainwater barrels sold out in a matter of minutes when registration opened on August 16 on Saint-Lazare’s website. “We have a long list of people wanting to buy more barrels, so we know how many to order if we do this again,” Gadoury said, adding residents can also purchase rain barrels at many local hardware stores, though not at a reduced price.

Thanks to a material grant, the town was awarded from Fonds Écomunicipalité IGA and Jour de la Terre, registered residents will buy the Quebec made rain barrels worth $87 for just $15 tomorrow night.

Saint-Lazare additionally contributed another $3,750 to the effort.

Those registered must attend one of two 30-minute information sessions given by the Alter Eco Company starting at 6:30 p.m. on September 2.

The rain barrels, that measure approximately 40-inches high by 22-inches wide, can collect up to 6,000 litres of water each year. Barrels are fitted with copper taps that can be used like standard water taps.

The town says collecting rainwater in barrels can be a simple, economic and ecological way to reduce the use of drinking water for outdoor use. Once collected, the rainwater can be used to water gardens and flowers.

To learn more about the initiative or to be placed on the waiting list, call Lyne Mousseau, Environment Project Manager, at 450 424-8001, ext. 248, or email lmousseau@ville.saint-lazare.qc.ca.