The City of San Marino and its water provider, California American Water, will host a rain barrel giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 3 as a service to San Marino residents. The event is the first of its kind for the city.
San Marino households are eligible to receive one green rain barrel—about 24-inches in diameter by 40-inches tall—when they bring their water bill and photo ID to San Marino Community Church at 8 a.m. that morning.
Residents should be prepared to wait in line, however, and not arrive before 7 a.m.
City of San Marino Environmental Services Manager Ron Serven said that the giveaway strives to reduce water loss and create a source of usable water for residential landscapes in the city.
In addition to being a San Marino resident, the city has several other qualifications. For instance, he city requires that a property have existing gutters with downspouts throughout the entire perimeter of the roof for adequate water collection by a rain barrel.
Other requirements for an optimum environmental impact include mounting the barrel such that it receives water unimpeded from a downspout, placing it at a location that does not restrict access to walkways or pathways and elevating it six inches off the ground on a solid foundation.
The rain barrel must also be installed within 45 days of Dec. 3, but not connect to the property’s irrigation system. Instead, it should be distributed through a hose or bucket.
If the event—funded by an allotment by the Municipal Water District and additional monetary support by Cal Am Water—is a success, Serven said, the city will investigate the possibility of future rain barrel programs.
For more information, residents can contact the City of San Marino or EcoTech Services, Inc. at 866-308-8391 or www.ecotechservices.net/rainbarrel. San Marino Community Church is located at 1750 Virginia Rd. in San Marino.
