The Conservation Commission has partnered with The Great American Rain Barrel Company, TGARB, to help residents save money and conserve water.

According to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, the summer of 2025 was the driest New Hampshire has experienced in more than a century. Despite some recent rainfall, the US Drought Monitor continues to classify the entire state as experiencing drought conditions.

Once the ground freezes, groundwater systems cannot be recharged until spring. For residents who rely on wells or groundwater systems, this increases the risk of water shortages through the winter months, explained New Hampshire State Climatologist Mary Stampone.

Rainwater harvesting is one of the simplest and most effective steps residents can take to conserve water. Installing a rain barrel allows rainwater from rooftops to be collected and stored for later use, helping to sustain gardens, lawns, and landscaping during dry periods. Collected rainwater can also be used for outdoor cleaning tasks such as washing cars, driveways, decks, and patios, which helps conserve well and municipal water for essential household needs.

Beyond its environmental benefits, harvesting rainwater can also save homeowners money by reducing reliance on municipal water and lowering utility costs. Even modest use of stored rainwater throughout the season can result in meaningful savings on water bills.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services notes that rain barrels are a practical tool for managing both drought and stormwater. By collecting and reusing rainwater, families can save hundreds of gallons of water each day while reducing strain on wells and municipal systems.

State guidance on drought and storm preparedness reinforces this message. Capturing and storing rainwater strengthens long term water resilience. Through small local actions, New Hampshire communities can work together to protect limited water resources and ensure a sustainable supply for future seasons.

Join the movement. Every barrel truly makes a difference.

Using a rain barrel is a simple way for households to be part of the solution. During dry conditions, having extra water on hand can make a real difference for gardens, lawns, and outdoor projects. Rain barrels collect water from roofs and gutters before it runs across hard surfaces and into local streams, ponds, and lakes. That runoff often carries pollutants with it, so capturing rainwater helps protect local waterways while also reducing erosion. Using rainwater can even help cut down on the energy and resources needed to treat and deliver water, which is a small but meaningful step toward addressing climate change.

Let’s save every drop of water.

Rainwater is naturally soft and does not contain minerals or chemicals like chlorine, fluoride, or calcium that are commonly found in tap water. This makes it ideal for watering plants and for washing cars and windows. The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 30 percent of daily household water use happens outdoors. They also note that the average homeowner can save up to 1300 gallons of water each year by using a rain barrel, potentially lowering water bills by as much as 40 percent.

A roof that is 500 square feet can fill a properly installed 50-gallon rain barrel in about one hour of rainfall. One full rain barrel can provide enough water to irrigate a 200 square foot garden.

To learn more about the rain barrels and to participate in The Great American Rain Barrel Program, please visit www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community and select your town.

• Rain barrels are offered for $80 to $89.
• Barrels will be available for pickup on April 18, 2026.
• The deadline for purchase is April 5, 2026 at midnight.

For more information about the Town of Salem Conservation Commission, please visit Conservation Commission | Salem, NH

About The Great American Rain Barrel Company

The Great American Rain Barrel Company is a local food import company that has been repurposing food grade shipping drums into rain barrels since 1988. The company has been an approved vendor with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection since 2010.