Authorize the City Manager to Execute Annual Contract for the Purchase of Rain Barrels for the Rain Barrel Voucher Program with Rain Water Solutions, Inc. for an Amount not to Exceed $104,280.

Initiated in 2021, the program helps Savannah water customers manage stormwater runoff and conserve water using barrels to capture rainwater. Originally, Staff would purchase rain barrels for distribution events throughout the year. However, demand for rain barrels steadily increased between 2024 and 2025, rising by 23 percent as more customers participated in the Rain Barrel Voucher Program and sought tools to conserve water and reduce stormwater runoff. Staff improved efficiency and the customers’ experience by modifying the program to operate similarly to the Water Saving Toilet Voucher Program. Now, after completing a simple online application, residents can pick up barrels at their convenience six days per week from one of two locations. In addition, with the implementation of the Stormwater Utility Fee in 2026, staff anticipate continued growth in participation, as residents can receive credit toward this fee when they install best management practices such as rain barrels. 
 
Rain barrels help the city and our customers achieve two important environmental goals: protecting water quality and conserving our precious drinking water. To date, Water Resources staff has distributed more than 976 rain barrels to water customers through the voucher program. Customer feedback regarding the program has been overwhelmingly positive. Residents use the collected rainwater for food gardens and pollinator plants because rainwater does not contain chlorine or fluoride. Others use rain barrels to reduce erosion caused by stormwater running off rooftops, while some use the collected water to replenish fishponds and aquariums. A few customers also use rain barrels to collect condensate from air conditioning units, helping reduce moisture accumulation that can attract termites. 
 
All of these practices contribute to the conservation of valuable drinking water resources. Additionally, when rainwater is redirected back into the ground rather than into streets and storm drains, it naturally seeps into the water table where it is filtered and slowly released into our creeks and rivers. This benefits the overall health of the watershed. Many progressive water utilities across the United States offer customers tools and resources to help conserve water, protect water quality, and reduce utility costs. Water Resources staff is pleased to provide this program to Savannah water customers and looks forward to meeting the demand for rain barrels through the approval of the proposed annual contract.  

Delivery: Immediately. Terms: Net 30 days. The vendor is: 

L.B. Rain Water Solutions, Inc (D)

(D) Indicates non-local, non-DBE business. 

A pre-bid meeting was not conducted. Local available: No 

Total sent: 57; Total received: 1; Vendor federally debarred/suspended: No 

Approval