Graphic courtesy of City of Oakland Watershed and Stormwater Management

Rain barrels designed to capture stormwater runoff from roofs and release it slowly into the landscape to help prevent hillside and creek erosion, will be sold to Oakland residents at the Merritt College Farmers Market on Saturday, July 17.

Will Stockard, from the City of Oakland’s Watershed Program, said promoting the use of rain barrels in the Oakland hills is part of a three year initiative to reduce stormwater flows that erode the hills and creeks.

The Watershed Program is funded by a Clean Water State Revolving Fund grant for $1,300,000.  Oakland received the grant in September as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Kimra McAfee, executive director of Friends of Sausal Creek, said rain barrels are one of the erosion control measures the group is exploring and was excited to hear about Oakland’s program.

"People usually think about rain barrels as being a good way to reduce water consumption in drought-ridden California by capturing and storing roof runoff for garden watering,”  said McAfee. “ Rain barrels are also a great way that individual residents can help reduce stormwater flow rates and volumes in our local streams, thus reducing erosion.”

The rain barrels are available to all Oakland residents, but the program is targeting homes in the hills where stormwater flows begin. The barrels sell at discounted prices made possible by the grant and come in two sizes. The 65 gallon barrel costs about $46; the 200 gallon barrel costs about $115.

Stockard said the contract for the program’s first year provides about 900 small barrels and about 50 large ones. About 150 barrels have been sold since December. Sales and customer feedback will help the program determine if different barrel sizes or features may be more efficient. Stockard said the Watershed Program’s goal is to have about 6000 rain barrels in use by September 2012.

The Watershed Program is increasing its outreach by communicating with creek groups, neighborhood communities addressing erosion issues and fire departments. Stockard said the program plans to sell the rain barrels all year, once every month or two.

There is currently a limit of six 65 gallon barrels and two 200 gallon barrels per household. Larger barrels require a pick-up truck to transport or a roof rack with tie-downs to move. Each barrel comes with valves, a linking hose, screens to prevent mosquito breeding and attachments to safely secure the barrel.

Barrels purchased at the Merritt Farmers Market must be paid with cash or checks only, no credit cards are accepted at this time.

Stockard recommends customers purchase barrels online and pick them up at the farmers market. To purchase online, go to the website. Click on the barrel size you want to purchase. You will be directed to a page where you’re required to join the Rain Barrel Program before purchasing the barrels. Once the purchase is completed, print your receipt and bring it to the market when picking up the barrels.


Merritt College Farmers Market is located at 12500 Campus Drive, Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Learn more about the City of Oakland’s Rain Barrel program, here.
Questions about purchasing and using rain barrels? Email watersheds@oaklandnet.com
Learn more about local creeks and watersheds at Oakland and Berkeley Watershed Finder.
Learn more about the Sausal Creek Watershed and links to other creek groups in Oakland.