WINDSOR, N.S. — The Valley Maple Leafs are looking to help residents save a little money this summer.
The Leafs, a Junior B hockey team based in Windsor, have launched a rain barrel fundraiser, where they receive a portion of the proceeds for every barrel sold.
Harry Ullock, who is organizing the fundraiser with his wife, Sharon, says it’s a win-win for the community and the hockey team.
Not only do they get to support keeping local athletes on the ice, they get to help the environment — and their pocketbooks.
“It’s just such a good idea for saving water,” said Ullock.
“I don’t know about anybody else, but my water bill is quite substantial in town every quarter. It’s in excess of $200,” he said.
The collected rain can be used for a variety of things, including to wash vehicles and water the lawn and garden.
Ullock said he’s heard the rainwater is ideal to use to wash vehicles as it doesn’t leave streaks. He hasn’t tested that theory out yet, but he’s looking forward to doing so.
For those with wells, rain barrels are an economical solution to trucking water in during the hot summer months.
“For anybody on wells, it would be of particular interest. They’re using their well-water, and a lot of wells went dry last summer,” said Ullock.
“Although it’s hard to believe right now but they say it’s going to be a hot, dry summer.”
Ullock said his wife pitched the fundraiser to the team after hearing about a similar successful fundraiser in Sackville. That fundraiser saw 168 rain barrels sold within a week.
While they don’t envision selling that many before the June 28 delivery date, especially since Sackville is densely populated, they hope to sell at least 100 rain barrels. They’ve already sold 35.
“They’re very economically priced, compared to what you’d buy in the stores. They’re probably about half of what you’d pay there,” he said.
The barrels come in a variety of sizes and colours, with a 55-gallon (220-litre) repurposed food grade plastic rain barrel costing $55.
“They’re a very nice barrel,” said Ullock. “They’ve got an overflow spout and a spout you can hook up a hose to and drain it off when you need water. They have a catch net that catches any foreign materials coming in.”
The Valley Maple Leafs are planning a three-hour delivery party at the Hants County Exhibition Grounds in Windsor on June 28. For those unable to pick up the barrels that day, home delivery can be arranged at an extra cost.
Rain barrels can be purchased online at https://rainbarrel.ca/ValleyMapleLeafs.
Did you know?
Why are rain barrels beneficial? Here are a few of the top reasons.
• Saves homeowners money by collecting free rainwater rather than paying for water supplied by the municipality.
• Rainwater does not contain chlorine or fluoride, which is often found in municipal water supplies.
• Collected rainwater is said to be the ideal temperature for watering gardens, and as mentioned above, has no added substances.
• Keeps clean rainwater out of the sewer system where chemicals are used to treat wastewater. This saves tax dollars in the long run, and extends the lifespan of the sewer system.
• Rainwater can be an essential source of water during watering bans or when a water-main breaks.
• Reduces the potential for basement flooding by capturing water and redirecting it away from foundations.
Source: Rainbarrel.ca
