Conserve water - use a rain barrel

Rain barrels collect rainwater to use when you water your lawn and garden

Make rain a resource! Rain water collection is a brilliant way to give your lawn and garden chlorine-free liquid sunshine. A rain barrel allows you to store rain, and use it as needed to take care of your lawn, helping keep a useful resource from running down the storm drain.

The City of Vancouver sells rain barrels for half the regular price. The City subsidizes the other half.

A rain barrel:

Measures 107 cm high x 54 cm wide.
Holds 341 L of water.
Weighs 20.5 kg when empty.

The City has also a limited time offer on short rain barrels for smaller yards.

Limited time offer: short rain barrel for small spaces (PDF, 1,605 KB)

How a rain barrel works

The City sells rain barrels made of recycled plastic. Barrels are designed with a flat side, so that the barrel will sit flush against a wall. Additional features are:

Overflow to storm drain
Childproof opening
Garden hose connection
Faucet (for filling watering cans)
Screen (to keep debris out)

Important: Rainwater is not for human consumption. Collected rainwater is suitable for plants and grass only.

Rain barrel price

$75 (plus taxes)

Buy a rain barrel

Pay for and pick up your rain barrel at the Vancouver South Transfer Station at 377 West Kent Avenue North.

Remember to:

Bring your driver’s license, or a utility bill that shows your address.
Bring cash, a debit card, cheque, or credit card.
Approach the transfer station from the east on Kent Avenue. Left turns are not allowed if you come from the west. Use the weigh scales line up.

There is a limit of two rain barrels per household.