Lexington residents are being encouraged to take water conservation into their own hands through the town’s rain barrel program.
The benefits of rain barrels are far-reaching. Homeowners can water their gardens without a total reliance on local supplies, conserving resources while supporting plant growth. Cindy Arens, chair of the Sustainable Lexington Committee, emphasized that installing a rain barrel is also financially smart.
“Using rainwater to water plants in our yard also saves you money,” Arens said. According to the Town of Lexington website describing the rain barrel program, such barrels can decrease a household’s water bill by up to 40%.
For many residents, the convenience is a bonus. “A well-placed rain barrel can also make it easier to water plants in your garden that might be too far from a water spigot,” Arens added.
Beyond ease of use, the rainwater collected is naturally pure: it is free of chloride and other chemicals commonly added to tap water during the treatment process. “The fact that the rain water is non-chlorinated is beneficial for plants and lawns,” Omar Gomez, a Lexington Engineering Inspector and coordinator of the rain barrel program, said.
In addition to their environmental and financial benefits, rain barrels are designed and equipped with practical features to address common concerns — particularly around mosquitoes. “The rain barrels come with a net that helps reduce mosquito activity,” Gomez said. “They also sell stones that can be placed on top of the barrel’s cover to help further reduce mosquito activity.”
Rain barrels are not new to Lexington. Since the program started in 2019, public facilities and private residences have added rain barrels. “Many homes, churches and schools in Lexington use rain barrels to provide water for their plantings, including Estabrook Elementary,” Arens noted.
Lexington’s rain barrel initiative reflects a broader commitment to sustainability and climate resilience. Gomez told LexObserver that recently, the town’s engineering department has expanded their Adopt-a-Drain program where residents can help maintain a specific storm drain in the town.
Meanwhile, Lexington and the Northeast as a whole is facing increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and longer periods of drought. According to the State’s drought status website, Lexington has not been classified as “normal” since Sept. 2024.
“Conserving water is one of many important things we as individuals can do to reduce the impacts on our access to clean drinking water,” Arens said. “Access to clean drinking water is going to become more of an issue for our community as the effects of climate change get more severe.”
As Lexington strengthens its response to global warming, local initiatives like the rain barrel program demonstrate how residents can make a meaningful contribution to community-wide sustainability.
“It is a team effort when it comes to climate resiliency and sustainability. Our rain barrel program allows for residents to be active participants in those efforts,” Arens said.
Lexington residents can order a barrel via the Great American Rain Barrel website. Orders must be submitted by May 25, 2025.