Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) and City Councilmember Susan Zhuang (D— Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Dyker Heights, Boro Park and Sunset Park) distributed 200 rain barrels on Saturday, August 3, outside the assemblyman’s office at 155 Kings Highway.

“I’m delighted to be able to provide constituents with these rain barrels, which not only help conserve water, reducing water bills, but also help reduce stormwater runoff and pollution,” said Assemblyman Colton. “In this neighborhood, where we have been plagued by flooding from heavy rains, any method of reducing the amount of water entering our sewers is beneficial. And, I am grateful to the many homeowners in the community who are eager to participate in this program.”

The barrels were provided by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which touts their benefits on its website. According to DEP, using a rain barrel, which is connected in clement weather to a home’s gutter or downspout and disconnected in winter because of concerns about freezing, can reduce a home’s water usage by as much as 40 percent in the summer. The water collected and stored in the barrels can be used for a plethora of outdoor tasks, from washing your car to watering your garden, but should not be used as drinking water.

This was the second rain barrel distribution by Assemblyman Colton and Councilmember Zhuang in recent weeks. The last distribution was outside the office of the councilmember.