Goldfeder, Ulrich to Sponsor Rain Barrel Giveaway in Broad Channel

Elected officials to host April 17^th event at Broad Channel American Legion Hall offering free Department of Environmental Protection rain barrels to area homeowners; advance registration at www.FreeRainBarrelEvent.com

Event part of city-wide green infrastructure initiative launched in 2008 to reduce water waste, save homeowners money on water bills; comes in wake of recent water rate hike 

Broad Channel, Queens – As rising water rates continue to strain the budgets of middle class families in Queens,New York State Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D – Broad Channel) and city Councilman Eric Ulrich (R – Broad Channel) are sponsoring an event to provide homeowners with free rain barrels to help reduce home water bills and encourage water conservation. Assemblyman Goldfeder and Councilman Ulrich are urging homeowners to reserve their free barrels online ahead of the April 17^th event, which 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 Councilman Ulrich and the Department of Environmental Protection in hosting this giveaway. I encourage everyone to stop by and take advantage," said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. 

“These rain barrels will help Broad Channel homeowners save on their water bills while protecting the environment and easing street flooding,” said Councilman Eric Ulrich. “I’m pleased to sponsor this giveaway with the Department of Environmental Protection and Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder.”

On Sunday, April 17^th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Assemblyman Goldfeder and Councilman Ulrich 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. 

Both Goldfeder and Ulrich have each hosted the rain barrel giveaways in years past. This weekend’s event comes as the city Water Board is considering another increase to water usage fees charged to homeowners. Last summer, the board raised rates by 2.97%, which DEP reported would go towards capital and operating expenses for the city's water system. The city has raised water rates every year since 1995, according to the Water Board website.

At Sunday's event, approximately 200 rain barrels will be provided. In order to claim a barrel, homeowners are required to pre-register by visiting www.FreeRainBarrelEvent.com. Anyone with questions regarding the event is encouraged to contact either Assemblyman Goldfeder's office at (718) 945-9550 or Councilman Ulrich’s office at(718) 738-1083.