Bridgeport rolls out the rain barrels to help environment

Bridgeport, Conn. (WTNH) - It may be the simplest way to save some money and help save the environment. All you have to do is roll out the barrel.

They used to hold food and were going to be thrown away, but now large food barrels are being recycled into rain barrels. Bridgeport residents get a barrel and a kit to hook up to the downspout of their gutter.

"You hook it up into the barrel, put the downspout into the reservoir," Bridgeport Conservation Director Lisa Miro explained. "When the reservoir is filled it will automatically continue down into the barrel."

Paul Barnum is one of almost a thousand people who already said they want one of the barrels. He plans to use his to help water his garden.

"Save your water and lower your water bill and you can use it for your garden so you can grow vegetables and save money on your vegetables," Barnum said. "Instead of the store you can make your own garden, use the rain barrel to water it, so it's a win-win situation."

In addition to saving money on your water bill, collecting the water in barrels saves the city money by reducing storm runoff.

"In older cities like Bridgeport, New haven and Hartford, many of our sewers are not separated, so the rainwater that's clean goes in with the polluted water from our homes, and it costs us a lot of money to get that rainwater out," said Mayor William Finch, (D) Bridgeport. "Well, why put it in there in the first place?"

A group of young people hired for the summer as the Mayor's Conservation Corps helped convert the barrels. They're part of a larger environmental effort by Mayor Finch that includes home energy audits and other efforts to reduce utility bills and the city's carbon footprint.

"Most of our homes are older and they're very energy inefficient," Mayor Finch said. "If we can get people to help, they can figure out ways to lower their utility bills and save their money. Everybody wants to save money these days."

The barrels are free for low-income families. If you're above the income threshold, you pay about $30. If you live in Bridgeport and you'd like to know more about the rain barrel program you can call 203-576-7311. For more information on using rain barrels visit http://www.aquarion.com/CT.cfm/section/rainbarrel/page/rainbarrel