Rain Barrels Now Under $10 for Toronto Residents

Toronto residents can now buy a rain barrel and downspout diverter for less than $10 as part of a new city pilot program aimed at water conservation. Free delivery included.

The savings program kicks in starting this week and is designed to help Torontonians collect and use rainwater at home—supporting gardens, reducing outdoor tap-water use, and lowering water bills. The city's working with Enviro World, a Canadian environmental consumer products company, to manage orders, payments, delivery, and installation support.

Here's how it works: A rain barrel collects runoff from your roof and eavestrough. A downspout diverter, installed on your downspout, automatically channels water into the barrel. When it's full, the diverter redirects excess water back through the downspout. An overflow hose keeps water from pooling near your foundation. A screen keeps out debris.

Eligibility is straightforward: your address must be within Toronto city limits with a postal code starting with M. The program limits each property to two rain barrels and one downspout diverter. Low-rise residential buildings, garages, and sheds work best—you'll want ground space near a downspout and room for overflow to drain safely away from the building.

Properties without downspouts, outdoor space, or proper drainage may not be suitable. As Toronto faces warmer, drier summers that spike outdoor water demand, the city's banking on residents to help shoulder the water-conservation burden—and making it cheap to do so.