Red Deer residents can save water and money through the city’s rain barrel rebate program.
The city is offering residents a rebate of up to $50 with the purchase of a rain barrel of their choice.
The barrels collect and store rainwater that runs off the roof, saving it for use in yards and reducing the need to use treated water from the tap.
“We want to make it easy for Red Deerians to conserve water by offering the rain barrel rebate program,” said environmental program specialist Katina Tam.
“This program helps residents with the cost of the rain barrel by applying a rebate to their utility bill. Then, residents can continue to save money by using the collected rainwater in their yards, which reduces the amount of treated tap water used.”
A rebate of up to 50 per cent of the cost of the rain barrel, to a maximum of $50, is applied to a household’s utility account. Applicants must have a City of Red Deer utility account, submit the receipt along with the application form, and purchase the rain barrel within the 2019 calendar year.
A limited number of rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and only one rebate per household is allowed.
Rebate application forms are available online through reddeer.ca/rainbarrels or in person at City Hall at 4914 48th Ave., or from the environmental services front desk at the civic yards, 7721 40th Ave.
“This is the fourth year we have run the rebate program and we are thrilled to have over 650 residents take part,” said Tam.
“It’s an easy addition to anyone’s yard that has great benefits for the entire community. Using a rain barrel also helps reduce water pollution by decreasing the amount of runoff entering the Red Deer River.”
For more information on the rebate program, and guides to set up and maintain your rain barrel, visit reddeer.ca/rainbarrels.