Rain Barrel Controversy

Yesterday, just to do a little homework, decided to learn about the rain barrel program. The MWRD site is very good, full of info on the proper use of rain barrels, they even give instructions on how to customize them (for those with an artistic flair).

Also found another site, SSMMA with an announcement dated 8/2014 but also noted, back on MWRD site, how few communities actually signed-up, the Mayor is correct it's 13. IMAHO, there must have been a reason for the disconnect.

I also found this.

Municipalities must sign an intergovernmental agreement with the MWRD to participate. Once registered, the village or city can make barrels available to residents who meet certain requirements:

• The resident must have property that has downspouts that are directly connected to the sewer system;
• The homeowner must agree to disconnect all downspouts from the sewer system;
• The homeowner must place rain barrels on each downspout, where feasible.

Based on the 1st requirement, I don't qualify, my downspouts do not connect to the sewer system, haven't for more than 40yrs.

Edited by logic - 30/April/2015 at 7:51am

citizen wrote: i found the same info, logic, but will not assume MWRD mistake, mostly because i can't imagine a realistic scenario where they got muni addresses wrong.

I can't imagine a realistic scenario for denying qualified residents free rain barrels, to what purpose?

The barrels are $58.00+tax, free delivery:), think most residents would need 2 or more for each downspout, at least that's what MWRD recommends. Oaklawn was offering them to residents for $50.00, whether that's the old price or the Village eats the rest, don't know. You need to qualify for the free barrels, would guess most of us don't. Also don't know if the expectation is free barrels for all, or discounted barrels, it's not clear.

Edited by logic - 30/April/2015 at 10:39am