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CHELSEA, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The City of Chelsea will be making it rain when it comes to water bill savings, Friday's announcement from the Chelsea Department of Public Works about the implementation of the 2022 Rain Barrel Program.
City officials said that rain water is a healthy and chloramine-free source of water that can be used to water plants and gardens. According to City Hall, residents will save money on their water bills, and the alternate source of water can be used during droughts.
The City of Chelsea partnered with the Great American Rain Barrel Company to allow residents to buy a rain barrel for their households to help the community, said Shavaun Callahan of Chelsea's DPW.
"It will also take some of the water from storm water out of our systems," Callahan said. According to the DPW, the barrels would improve residential storm management, slow pollution from runoff, lower municipal water demands, and save energy at treatment plants.
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Each painted barrel costs $69, while unpainted barrels go for $64 each, city officials said. The DPW said that residents must make their rain barrel purchase by May 5, and that ordered barrels will be available for pick-up on May 14 at the City Yard.
Residents can find purchase and order their water barrels from the GARBC here.
The GARBC is a local food importing company that repurposes shipping drums into Rain Barrels, and have been doing so since 1988, officials said. In 2010, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection approved the Rain Barrel Company as a vendor.
WBZ's Carl Stevens (@CarlWBZ) reports.
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