Water Conservation

Rain Barrels

Natick residents can purchase rain barrels at the low cost of $70 versus the retail price of $119. The barrels can hold 60 gallons of water at a time, are chlorine free, and UV-protected. They are painted grey and come with a spigot, overflow valve, hose and mosquito screen. For additional information on the barrels and installation instructions, please visit The Great American Rain Barrel Company at www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com.
 
Barrels can be purchased online via the Town of Natick's Unipay platform. If purchasing online, select DPW, Compost/Rain Barrels. You can also purchase a rain barrel at the Natick Department of Public Works during normal operating hours:

  • Monday, 7 AM - 7 PM
  • Tuesday - Thursday, 7 AM - 4 PM
  • Friday: 7 AM - 12 PM

All rain barrels (purchased online or in-person) will be delivered by the DPW within 1-3 business days of your purchase.

Why Rain Barrels Matter

In New England, residential water usage can increase as much as 60% during the extended summer season from outdoor watering needs such as watering gardens, lawns, filling pools and, washing cars. Rain barrels can offset that increase, saving homeowners money and helping the community manage water supplies.

Rain barrels also reduce storm water runoff, which can harm local water bodies. In Natick, storm water discharges into Lake Cochituate, Dug Pond, the Charles River, Jennings Pond and other local water bodies. These water bodies are listed as impaired by the Environmental Protection Agency and reducing stormwater runoff is key to restoring them.

Lawncare

A large portion of the town's water usage during the summer goes to lawn watering. To reduce water waste, you can replace your lawn grass with a low-water variety used for athletic turf, which is more resistant to drought.

Your lawn can also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, both due to gas-powered lawn mowers and the methane released by grass when mowing your lawn. Replacing your lawn mower with an electric or battery-powered mower reduces your emissions. You can also reduce noise and stormwater pollution by replacing your lawn with a meadow, which helps support the local ecosystem and lowers the risk of flooding. Gardening equipment is freely available at the Morse Institute Library's Library of Things.