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Rain barrels that capture stormwater for reusing in yards are being offered for nearly half the  cost thanks to a partnership of local agencies.

Available online now, the rain barrel program led by the Mower County Recycling Center is offering $50 rain barrels, plus tax, that hold up to 45 gallons of rainwater and typically cost $100 before tax. Also, 125-gallon compost bins are being sold for $50 each to Mower County residents, discounted from $80 per bin plus tax, which is the rate for non-Mower residents.

Cost-share on the rain barrels has been made possible with state Clean Water funds for the Cedar-Wapsipinicon  Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan that covers western Mower County and parts of Freeborn, Steele and Dodge counties. “Rain barrels help you recycle fresh, chlorine-free stormwater coming from your downspouts for watering flowers or plants,  and they also save you money and lessen the strain on water resources,” said Marcus Thompson, director of the Mower County  Recycling Center. “This is a great opportunity to get a barrel or more at a such a low price.”

Austin Utilities customers are eligible to buy rain barrels at $40 each after a $10 rebate, with a limit of five rebates per account.  At pickup, AU customers will need to give the account holder’s name, address and phone number; AU staff will apply the rebate  directly to the account so that a rebate form does not have to be filled out.

Pickup of barrels and bins is set for 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 25 at the recycling center, 1111 Eighth Ave. N.E, in Austin. Links to the online store are on Mower Soil & Water Conservation District’s homepage at www.mowerswcd.org. Austin  Utilities and the City of Austin’s stormwater division also are partnering on the project. 

On the sales website, locals can choose between two tabs – one for Mower County residents and the other for non-Mower  County residents who have a qualifying zip code for the Cedar River watershed in Freeborn, Steele and Dodge counties, such as  Hollandale, Blooming Prairie and Hayfield. Non-residents will have a 20 percent cancellation fee.

Rain barrels help reduce the costs of tap water to the owner and conserves sources of drinkable water. Harvesting and reusing stormwater decreases the effect of stormwater runoff to local lakes and streams. It protects the environment and minimizes localized  flooding and erosion.

Overall, the recycling center has purchased 72 rain barrels and 50 compost bins through the Recycling Association of  Minnesota. Both products are made from 100 percent recycled plastic. Each rain barrel includes a debris screen, garden hose, shut off thumb valve, hanging hose clip, overflow host and linking kit.

Compost bins involve a two-piece construction for sides and have a wide opening at the top for viewing materials. They have a  lockable lid to deter animals and sliding doors on each side to check the status of compost.

Rain barrels manufactured by Forest City Models and Patterns have a one-year warranty on manufacturer defects; the compost  bins have a 10-year warranty from the manufacturer Gracious Living Corp.