Calgarians' demand for rain barrels is increasing due to the drought

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The rain barrels are being pulled as concerns continue about potential water restrictions from the drought this summer and how they could affect green-thumbed Calgarians.

Urban environmental charity Green Calgary is working with the City of Calgary to provide subsidized rain barrels. They see about a 10 percent increase in sales every year, but this year sales are up almost 200 percent.

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Green Calgary executive director Lex van der Raadt said all the talk of drought and water restrictions expected demand to increase by about 50 per cent, but that increase blew them away.

“I didn't think it would be this big,” he said.

They've already sold less than 1,900 barrels this year, and another 900 are on a growing waiting list.

“People are very concerned about how our drought-related water restrictions are going to play out — especially this year, there's been more talk about the drought.”

Van der Raadt cites the rising cost of rain barrels among other retailers as a reason for the increase in sales.

“We used to be closer (on price), the gap wasn't that big, and now the gap is a little bit bigger and people are really squeezed, they really want a cheaper option,” he said.

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Green Calgary rain barrels are priced at $78 this year, while van der Raadt says most comparable options sell for between $90 and $120. On the high end, a “fancy” one can cost over $200.

Calgarians arrive early for rain barrels

David and Brenda Zeiha didn't get a Green Calgary rain barrel during the first sale on April 27. The couple went to a second sale around 7:30 a.m. Saturday to get an “advance ticket” that allowed them to come. When the sale starts at 10am to get your hands on the barrel.

“I think they only had 30 barrels, they haven't sold yet, so basically the first 30 households will get one today,” David said.

The two had bought Green Calgary rain barrels in previous years, and David said last year they came and bought one there.

“Because of the water shortage, of course, everyone collects such funds,” he said. “We thought let's get more so we can collect more water.”

“That way we don't use city water to water the flowers and stuff,” Brenda said.

“Also, water costs us a lot of money, and if it's falling from the sky for free, why not use it?”

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Also at Saturday's sale, Barbara Seddon said she wanted to use a new rain barrel to water the plants in her greenhouse and flower beds.

Seddon was there at 7:30 a.m. to collect the ticket and left in the morning with the keg.

“Rainwater is good, plants love it,” he said, adding that rainwater is beneficial because, unlike city water, it's not chlorinated.

The waiting list helps the city understand the demand for rain barrels

Deborah Mayer, executive director of the Calgary Horticultural Society, believes everyone should have a rain barrel.

“There are so many options, you can choose different sizes, colors and shapes,” Mayer said.

He said the apparent increase in interest in rain barrels has come from concerns about how dry southern Alberta is.

“We have to collect rainwater so we can water the plants and not use tap water, which makes us realize how valuable our tap water is.”

City of Calgary Environment and Adaptation Manager Nicole Newton said the city's waiting list (via Green Calgary) is trying to figure out how many more barrels they need and get them into the hands of Calgarians.

“There is definitely a growing demand for the City of Calgary program, but if Calgarians can't get a barrel through that, there are still rain barrels available through your local home and garden retailer,” Newton said.

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