Elected Officials to host August 9th event in Broad Channel offering free Department of Environmental Protection rain barrels to area homeowners
In the wake of a recent city-wide water and sewage rate increase, New York State Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D – Rockaway Beach) and New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo (D – Broad Channel) are sponsoring an event to provide homeowners with free rain barrels to help reduce home water bills and encourage water conservation. The August 9th event, to be held at the Broad Channel American Legion, is co-sponsored by the city Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
"Rain barrels are a great way for families to reduce their water usage. Not only does this translate into real savings on monthly water bills, it also helps protect our sewer system and reduce street flooding. I'm pleased to partner with Senator Addabbo and the Department of Environmental Protection in hosting this giveaway. I encourage everyone to stop by and take advantage," said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder.
"I commend the NYC DEP for continuing to expand its rain barrel initiative, by providing free rain barrels to our constituents. This environmentally positive event will take place in one of the most environmentally minded communities in my district - Broad Channel. I look forward to working with our governmental agencies and my good colleagues, such as Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder, in bringing our constituents the resources needed to protect and improve our surroundings," said Senator Joseph Addabbo.
On Sunday, August 9th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Assemblyman Goldfeder and Senator Addabbo will hold a rain barrel giveaway together with DEP at the Broad Channel American Legion Hall, located at 209 Cross Bay Boulevard. The giveaway is part of a DEP citywide program started in 2008 to distribute 60-gallon water barrels free of charge to homeowners.
According to the DEP website, the barrels can be used to capture and manage water runoff during rain storms. This can help prevent the city's sewer system from being overwhelmed by heavy rains, which leads to street flooding and pollution. The program also helps homeowners reduce costs on their water and sewer usage bills by capturing rain water for use in gardens and yards, or for washing cars.
The giveaway follows a recent decision by the city's water board to raise water rates by 2.97% beginning July 1st. The increase in charges will go towards capital and operating expenses for the city's water system, DEP reports.
At Sunday's event, approximately 240 rain barrels will be provided. In order to claim a barrel, homeowners are required to pre-register by visitingwww.FreeRainBarrelEvent.com. Anyone with questions regarding the event is encouraged to contact either Assemblyman Goldfeder's office at (718) 945-9550 or Senator Addabbo's office at (718) 738-1111.
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Ohh more mosquitos..Yeah that's what we need..
ReplyDeleteBetter pour Cooking oil on top of that water. :/