Rain Barrels
2024 Rain Barrel Yard Art Campaign
Bidding is Now Open!!
Since 2006 Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has been sponsoring its Rain Barrel Yard Art Campaign. Through this creative community initiative, local artists transform 55-gallon recycled plastic barrels into beautiful, repurposed rain barrels! By collecting rooftop runoff for watering landscapes, lawns, and flower gardens, these decorated rain barrels help save water, alleviate flooding, and reduce stormwater pollution.
Six talented Geauga County artists (listed below) have each painted a barrel that uniquely reflects Geauga County's naturaly, cultural, agricultural, or historical resources. Rain barrels will be displayed at the Geauga County Office Building (Ravenwood Drive) and the Geauga County Fair and are available for bidding at these locations or on our website until 3:00 pm Wednesday, October 30th.
Check current bid amount for barrels prior to submitting a bid! To place a bid, please fill out the form below. Complete contact information must be provided for bid to be accepted. (Note: All bids will include the 6.75% required sales tax.) The website will be updated regularly with each barrel's status. Good luck and thanks for your support!
* * * BIDS UPDATED September 25, 2024* * *
What is a Rain Barrel?
A rain barrel is a container used to collect and store rainwater from your roof that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to a storm drain or out onto your property. The collected water in the rain barrel can then be utilized for watering landscapes, lawns, and gardens, reducing water consumption and pollution.
Why use a Rain Barrel?
Rain barrels work day in and day out to keep rainwater out of storm drains and sewers. Why is this important? Every time it rains, unabsorbed water rushes to storm drains and directly into our local waterways. Often times this runoff carries with it pollutants it has picked up along the way.
How much water will you collect in your rain barrel?
Believe it or not, for every inch of rain that falls on a catchment area of 1,000 square feet, you can expect to collect approximately 600 gallons of rainwater. Ten inches of rain falling on a 1,000 square foot catchment area will generate about 6,000 gallons of rainwater! That's right, 6,000 gallons! More than you were expecting?
However, rainwater-harvesting systems aren't necessarily 100% efficient. Most sources estimate efficiency between 70% and 90%. All rainwater-harvesting systems lose some of the rainwater. It may spill out of the gutters or the wind may blow it away. Evaporation will undoubtedly affect some of it. To maximize your collection of rainwater, you can use out buildings such as barns and sheds. Geauga SWCD's Rain Barrel Brochure
However, rainwater-harvesting systems aren't necessarily 100% efficient. Most sources estimate efficiency between 70% and 90%. All rainwater-harvesting systems lose some of the rainwater. It may spill out of the gutters or the wind may blow it away. Evaporation will undoubtedly affect some of it. To maximize your collection of rainwater, you can use out buildings such as barns and sheds. Geauga SWCD's Rain Barrel Brochure
Rain Barrels For Sale
Geauga SWCD sells rain barrels throughout the year! These barrels are black in color, approximately 55-gallons, and made from recycled polypropylene food grade barrels with a brass spigot for easy watering. They have a lid that screws on and off and a screen to deter mosquitoes from laying their eggs in the water. Barrels are 42 inches high, 24 inches in diameter, and weigh approximately 18 lbs.
Barrels cost $100.00 each plus tax ($106.75) can be purchased at the Geauga SWCD Office at 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite 240, Chardon, Ohio 44024. Please be sure to call first to confirm barrel availability.
Orders can be placed by calling 440-834-1122 or by emailing Colleen at clair@geauga.oh.gov. Geauga SWCD's Rain Barrel Brochure
Barrels cost $100.00 each plus tax ($106.75) can be purchased at the Geauga SWCD Office at 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite 240, Chardon, Ohio 44024. Please be sure to call first to confirm barrel availability.
Orders can be placed by calling 440-834-1122 or by emailing Colleen at clair@geauga.oh.gov. Geauga SWCD's Rain Barrel Brochure
Looking for a DIVERTER for your new rain barrel? Downspout diverters may be purchased that fit the application you need. It is helpful to first do some research to see what best suits your rain barrel set up. Here are some diverter options we recommend!
Rain Barrel Yard Art Campaign
Geauga SWCD’s Annual Rain Barrel Yard Art Campaign has been a creative community initiative for over a decade! Local artists and groups donate their time, talent, and materials to the District by painting the 55-gallon plastic barrels to creatively transform them into beautiful, repurposed rain barrels! From August through October of each year, the decorated rain barrels are placed on display at various events in Geauga County and available for silent bidding at on the District website by emailing Colleen Lair at clair@geauga.oh.gov. Minimum bids start at $125 but be sure to check current bid amouth for barrels prior to submitting a bid. The District also sells undecorated rain barrels year round and at their annual Tree Sale.