SAN ANTONIO – Often South Texas weather operates like a light switch, and that switch can stay off for a long while. During those times of drought, rain barrels can help when it comes to watering the garden.
"It gives you a good concept of how much water you’re really using, because you have a visual,” explained San Antonio Water System spokesperson Lilliana Gonzalez. “This is 50 gallons."
Gonzalez showed off the standard-size rain barrel, which is one of potentially 6,000 that will be going out to SAWS residential customers across San Antonio.
"You can connect it to your gutter system or you can set it up just like this,” Gonzalez said. “This is a flat roof and the rain would kind of run off in sheets and you just place it under the roof and let it collect water."
That water can be used to keep a garden thriving. While it likely cannot replace a typical irrigation system, it is a concept that can save money when it comes to water bills.
SAWS is offering coupons to residential customers that will allow for the purchase of a 50-gallon rain barrel for $40.
The barrel would normally cost $120.
"In essence, we are subsidizing that cost so [customers] are purchasing from a vendor,” said Gonzalez.
Customers can click here to apply to get the coupon. SAWS is limiting two per household.
"About a day later, you'll get a coupon in your email and then you use that coupon to go to the vendor's website and redeem it,” explained Gonzalez.
Customers have until Dec. 9 to redeem the coupons. However, SAWS has capped the program at 6,000 barrels, a number that could be reached before the deadline. As of Wednesday, SAWS reported that nearly 2,000 barrels had been purchased.
The barrels come with a mosquito screen, an overflow hose, zip ties to keep the lid closed and a spigot to attach a hose. The barrels will need to be elevated to work, as the process relies on gravity.
Gonzalez said this will be a trial run and should it be successful, the program may be brought back.