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Northwest gardening and natural yard care

Rain Barrel Information and Sources
Saving for a Sunny Day: Rain Barrels in the Garden

Rain Barrel Artwork If you're a Northwest gardener and are looking for ways to save on your water bills and ensure that your plants don't suffer in the next drought, consider an old-fashioned technology: rainwater harvesting with rain barrels.

You can buy or make a rain barrel. If you have a lot of plants to care for, consider linking several together to increase your storage capacity.

Do-It-Yourself Instructions

For more information, try the following resources:

Local Rain Barrel Sources

Following is a list of some local sources to purchase rainbarrels for pick up or delivery. Please call first to confirm cost and availability. Also, try calling your favorite local garden center and ask if they stock rain barrels.

*Note: King County maintains this list as a courtesy to the public and does not endorse or guarantee the quality of the service offered or provided.

  • Seattle Conservation Corps - Seattle. Rain barrels are available for $65 to Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) customers and $69 for non-SPU customers. Plus tax and shipping. Rain barrels can be picked up at the Seattle Conservation Corps office at Magnuson Park. Call 206-684-0190 for directions between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday - Friday.
  • Coal Creek Utility District - Rain Barrels available for $25 in Newcastle. Call 425-235-9200
  • MJD Distributions Garden Center - 17212 Aurora Ave N., Seattle. Sells a variety of 50, 55 and 60-gallon, plastic barrels ($30 - $60) and 175 and 275-gallon, large water tanks ($160-$225). They are recycled, food-grade quality containers. Call to confirm availability. Delivery is available. 206-391-4058.
  • Pacific Industrial Supply - 1231 S. Director St., Seattle. 206-682-2100.
  • McLendon Hardware - Kent, Puyallup, Renton, Sumner, White Center and Woodinville. 1-877-505-1502
  • Dan Borba - Tacoma. Sells 60-gallon, food-clean, fully assembled barrels with brass fittings and removable mesh screens for $65. Delivery and installation available in western Washington. Contact for more information. 253-272-8173 or naturalrainwater@yahoo.com.
  • HRI-Containers - 8304 N. Regal St., Spokane. Custom made to your specifications. 509-994-7390.
  • Flotation Services - Seattle. 425-652-0205.

Rain BarrelsRain Barrel Sources Online

*Note: King County maintains this list as a courtesy to the public and does not endorse or guarantee the quality of the service offered or provided.

  • IMEX - Washington, Idaho, Oregon. Recycled barrels (e.g., 55-gallon plastic drums) are frequently available through the online Industrial Materials Exchange. Be sure to determine what the barrels were used for previously. Do not use toxic drums.

For questions about the Rain Barrel Information and Resources in the Pacific Northwest, please contact Greg Rabourn, Community Outreach, Communications Specialist.

Related information

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