AKRON, Ohio - Why use tap water for your garden when rain water is free?

The city of Akron has teamed up with the Summit Soil & Water Conservation District to provide residents with rain barrels as part of the Akron Waterways Renewed! program.

Akron residents who attend a rain barrel workshop will learn how to collect rainwater and get a barrel for free. The workshop includes information about barrels and barrel platforms, as well as a demonstration on how to install them to existing spouting.

Register here for the next workshop: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, at the Summit Soil and Water Conservation District, 1180 South Main St. #241 in Akron. Workshops are limited to 25 attendees.

Collecting rain in barrels can help residents reduce their water and sewer bills by decreasing the amount of potable water used on lawns and gardens, said Brian Prunty, district administrator for the conservation district.

"It's not drinking water," Prunty said "It's only good for watering plants. There's not enough water or pressure to wash your car or water your lawn."

With a typical rooftop producing 600 gallons of runoff from 1 inch of rain, capturing rain in a 55-gallon barrel won't do much to divert storm water from Akron's sewer infrastructure either, he said. But every bit helps.

Akron's sewer system is undergoing an EPA-mandated $1.4 billion upgrade to separate storm water from sewer water, helping keep pollutants out of the waterways.

"Any time you can use water that would otherwise be runoff is positive," said Heather Bolestridge, communications manager, Akron Waterways Renewed! "Anyone can do this at home."

And collecting rain in barrels is a gateway to more sustainable practices.

"It helps people start feeling good about the environment and think what else can I do?" Prunty said.

The conservation district recommends several ways residents can reduce water use and keep pollutants out of waterways:

Rain gardens

Native perennial plants

Organic lawn-care products

Residents who can't attend a workshop or wish to install several barrels can purchase food-grade barrels from the conservation district. For more information, call 330-929-2871 or send an email to staff@swcd.org.

Barrels also can be purchased directly from Container Compliance in Cleveland.