MANCHESTER – A recent torrential rain storm that hit Ocean County reminded township’s Environmental Commission Chairwoman Peggy Middaugh of two words: rain barrels.
A rain barrel captures rain from the roof by placing an attachment to the downspout and directing the rainfall to collect in the rain barrel. Most have a spigot to attach to a hose to water the flowers and shrubs in the garden.
That was the perfect weather for rain barrels, Middaugh said. She recently announced that Save Barnegat Bay is collaborating with Manchester Township and the Manchester Environmental Commission for the township’s second Rain Barrel Workshop on Wednesday, June 24 from 6-7 p.m.
“You should attend this workshop if you would like to receive a free rain barrel and learn how to install and maintain it for your home. This is a virtual zoom meeting and will be one hour long,” she added.
Registration is required and the interactive 60-minute session is open to the interested public.
The Rain Barrel will be available for pick up on June 25 – 26 beginning at 9 a.m. at SBB HQ at 117 Haines Road, Toms River.
There will be a rain barrel question and answer session held on July 1 at 6 p.m. It will also be a Zoom meeting. Participants will have to purchase their own silicone caulk and plumbers’ tape to complete the assembly of the rain barrels.
Middaugh said that rain barrel builders will need GE Silicone 1 All Purpose 100% Silicone Caulk. Although the program is free, donations are always appreciated to help keep this program alive.
Donations can be made at savebarnegatbay.org/donate/. Rain Barrels will be provided to Manchester residents who attend.
