Help protect waterways from run-off with a rain barrel
Terra-cotta (color) rain barrel on pedestal riser. Photo from WCCD website.
submitted by Anna Cone, Climate Smart Farms Conservation Technician, Washtenaw County Conservation District
The Washtenaw County Conservation District’s (WCCD) Rain Barrels & Supplies sales have returned for 2025. The WCCD offers rain barrels, composters, and related supplies to the public to purchase for water catchment systems and composting systems. These supplies promote systems that encourage conserving rainwater, reducing home water use, preventing run-off pollution, and composting practices to reduce food waste and build healthy soils.
The rain barrels offered come in four colors and are all “upcycled” clean, 55-gallon food-grade durable plastic, fitted with a screened removable lid and fittings and valves to drain the barrel, connect to other barrels, and for overflow. Barrels can be purchased with a “wide overflow” upgrade for the barrels to handle excess water more efficiently during heavy rainfalls. Additional rain barrel accessories include a wooden pedestal riser, linking hoses, downspout diverters, and downspout flex elbows. We’re now offering barrel plant netting and plant hangers to decorate or disguise rain barrels. For larger water catchment systems, the sales offer a 275-gallon IBC Tote, a clean “upcycled” 4’x4’x4’ tank that is fitted with a valve and reducer to a garden hose.
Discounts are available when buying multiple barrels or a “Starter Kit,” which includes a rain barrel, downspout diverter, and pedestal riser. For homeowners’ associations and other cooperative living situations, we offer educational consultations and bulk pricing when purchasing many rain barrels collectively; inquire for details.
The WCCD’s Rain Barrels & Supplies sales open in January and continue into September. Rain barrels, accessories, and composters are available only by pre-order. Pre-orders must be made within the pre-sale periods, which end a week before pick-up. Order pick-up will take place on specific distribution dates or at the WCCD office throughout the year, the first pick-up date is Monday, March 24, at the WCCD office back parking lot: 705 N Zeeb Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
Customers will receive reminders and detailed instructions of when and where to pick up their pre-ordered supplies. All orders come with resources and instructions, also available on the website: www.washtenawcd.org/rainbarrel
Pre-orders can be placed directly on the WCCD’s online store at https://store.washtenawcd.org/rainbarrels or ordered by paper order forms. Paper forms are available for download on the WCCD website: www.washtenawcd.org/rainbarrel, at the WCCD office, or by requesting a mailed copy. Payment is accepted by credit card online or by check via mail/drop-off. Checks can be made out to Washtenaw CD.
The WCCD has been distributing trees, plants, and tools for conservation since the 1950s. Over 7.5 million trees and shrubs have been distributed because of WCCD’s efforts, contributing to conservation practices such as reforestation, soil erosion reduction, and water-quality improvement, habitat restoration, and naturalization projects.
The WCCD is a unit of local government, managed by an elected 5-member board of directors. The mission of the WCCD is to assist residents with the conservation, management, and wise use of natural resources in Washtenaw County. The WCCD serves Washtenaw residents through resource distributions, education, and technical assistance.
To learn more about the Rain Barrels & Supplies distributions and other WCCD programs, please visit the WCCD website at www.washtenawcd.org. Forms are also available at the WCCD office: 705 N Zeeb Rd, Suite 201, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
Contact Doug Reith, WCCD Resource Specialist, with any questions at 734-302-8713 or rainbarrels@washtenawcd.org.
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