Fenelon Residents Getting “Ready for the Rain”

Free rain barrels to help sewer system, roads, environment, and pocket book

April showers may bring May flowers, but they can also put stress on local sewer systems and roads. Fenelon residents are getting ready this year with free rain barrels. Some 150, 50-gallon barrels will be distributed to residents of Fenelon Falls on a first-come, first-served:

Saturday April 1st

Handley Lumber (12 Helen Street, Fenelon Falls)

9.30am-12noon

Residents must be on town sewers in the village of Fenelon Falls to receive a barrel. 

First come, first served. One per household.

Residents may also reserve a barrel for pick-up by email: fenelonrainbarrels@gmail.com

A project of the Fenelon Falls Horticultural Society working with Ward 3 Councillor Mike Perry, the barrels have been paid for by MDM Developments, the Kawartha Group, and TD Consulting Inc. Handley Lumber has provided the barrels at cost. Perry explains that the main goal of the project is to relieve storm pressure on the Fenelon sewer system. “Intense rain showers can stress the capacity of our sewer system here in town. We local residents can take action to help,” he notes.

The City of Kawartha Lakes has been working to identify and reduce storm water inflow and sewer infiltration including in Fenelon Falls. Waste water operations at the City has recently approved to flush and camera the town’s sewers this spring. Meanwhile, local residents are encouraged to use rain barrels and disconnect any rain drainage from their sewer connection, if they are joined together. 

“In addition to helping reduce the risk of sewer backup and helping our roads, using rain barrels has environmental and household financial benefits,” notes FFHS President Gail Henderson. These benefits include saving money on water bills, improving local water quality, keeping plants, creeks and rivers healthy, and reducing erosion and flooding.

The FFHS is planning to distribute more barrels in the near future.