“Unprecedented” demand for rain barrels in Calgary is leading to a shortage

As Calgarians prepare for possible water restrictions this summer, the city is facing a rain barrel shortage.

People lined up Saturday morning at the Dalhousie Co-op parking lot for the Green Calgary Rain Barrel Sale.

The sale wasn't supposed to start until 10am, but some people were there as early as 6am, determined to go home with plenty of rum barrels.

For those who came later, their parade was in great demand. They stood in line empty-handed.

“With the drought forecast this summer and very little rain, I thought I'd do what I could and get a rain barrel, but I'm too late,” said Rowena Campbell, a Calgary resident who said she's currently waiting. list.

“I would say the demand for rain barrels this year has been unprecedented,” said Lex van der Raadt, executive director of Green Calgary.

Trade organizers had expected an increase in demand, van der Raadt said. “But we didn't expect the growth to be as high as before. I think it's because people are worried about the drought and we don't know what the water restrictions are going to look like.”

Green Calgary said it will have additional sales in May.

With no sign of sales drying up, van der Raadt said Green Calgary is working with the City of Calgary and has ordered barrels from Ontario for the first time.