Summit County, Park City join subsidized rain barrel program amid record-low snowpack

Rain barrels help conserve water, which can be used to water lawns, gardens, and indoor plants, general outdoor cleaning, and even washing your car or bike, all while saving money on water bills. Photo: Utah Rivers Council.

As Utah faces one of its driest winters on record, local leaders are urging residents to begin thinking about water conservation.

Utah Rivers Council and its Great Salt Lake Waterkeeper program have relaunched the RainHarvest rain barrel initiative this year, offering discounted rain barrels to residents across 18 participating municipalities, including Park City, Summit County, and Wasatch County.

With statewide snowpack sitting at just 36% of median, officials say the program is one of many tools to help communities stretch limited water supplies while improving water quality.

Residents in participating communities can purchase rain barrels for $60, a steep discount from the $155 retail price. Utahns outside those areas can still participate for $88. All orders can be placed at www.rainbarrelprogram.org/urc.

The barrels, made in the U.S. from 100% recycled plastic, allow homeowners to collect rainwater from their roofs and reuse it for landscaping, gardening, and other outdoor needs.

Orders are available online, with distribution events scheduled for early May at locations across northern Utah.

Program organizers say bulk shipping and municipal subsidies help drive down costs, making the conservation tool more accessible. Roughly 2,000 subsidized barrels are available this spring and are expected to sell out quickly.

Local leaders emphasize conservation

“Summit County is excited to continue its partnership… to offer subsidized rain barrels to all our residents,” said Summit County Sustainability Director Emily Quinton. “Rain barrels are a simple yet effective way for households to save water, protect local water quality, and contribute to broader conservation efforts.”

Officials across participating cities echoed that message, pointing to both the severity of current drought conditions and the need for proactive solutions.

“Rainwater harvesting offers a unique hands-on opportunity… to experience and teach the value of water and conservation right in their own backyard,” said Lisa Hoffman of Mountain Regional Water.

Leaders also emphasized that as of 2010, rainwater collection is legal in Utah, with allowances up to 2,500 gallons per property.

While the primary goal is conservation, experts say rain barrels also play a key role in reducing pollution.

By capturing rainwater before it flows over streets and gutters, barrels help prevent contaminants from washing into local waterways and eventually the Great Salt Lake. Research cited by program partners suggests rain barrels can reduce neighborhood stormwater runoff by up to 12% and capture as much as 73% of runoff from a typical roof.

Small changes, big impact

Since launching more than a decade ago, the RainHarvest program has distributed over 15,000 barrels statewide. Each time a 50-gallon barrel fills, organizers estimate a collective savings of more than 760,000 gallons of water.

Local officials say that kind of incremental impact adds up, especially in a year like this.

“Small mindful changes by all of us can have big impacts,” Hoffman said.

What to know

Discounted barrels are available while supplies last

Residents must verify eligibility for the $60 price

Distribution is scheduled for early May

Rainwater collection is legal in Utah, with allowances up to 2,500 gallons

As Utah heads into what could be another challenging water year, leaders say the message is simple: conservation starts at home—and sometimes, with a single barrel.