Owasso Hosts Annual Rain Barrel Sale for Water Conservation

The city's rain barrel program aims to help residents save money and protect local waterways.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:49pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph showing the blurred outline of a rain barrel filled with clear water, surrounded by soft, warm colors and light that suggest a lush, thriving garden scene.Owasso's annual rain barrel sale provides residents an affordable way to conserve water and protect local waterways through sustainable gardening practices.Owasso Today

The city of Owasso, Oklahoma is hosting its annual rain barrel sale, allowing residents to purchase discounted rain collection systems to conserve water and reduce runoff pollution. The program has grown in popularity, with over 150 barrels sold last year. Owasso officials say the rain barrels provide benefits like reducing water bills, erosion, and the washing of pollutants into local creeks and rivers.

Why it matters

As water scarcity and environmental concerns grow, municipal programs that promote sustainable practices like residential rainwater harvesting can have a meaningful impact on local conservation efforts and community resilience.

The details

Owasso's rain barrel sale offers residents a chance to purchase the collection systems at a discounted rate. The barrels come with childproof locks for safety, and residents can use the harvested rainwater to irrigate gardens, flowers, and other outdoor needs, reducing reliance on treated municipal water. City officials say the program helps mitigate issues like erosion, flooding, and the runoff of pollutants like fertilizers and oil into local waterways.

  • The annual rain barrel sale takes place on Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • Over 150 rain barrels were sold through the program in 2025.

The players

Glenn McCurley

An employee with Owasso Recycling who oversees the city's rain barrel program.

Lauren Kimbrough

The city of Owasso's pre-treatment and stormwater administrator.

Kathryn Toothman

A local resident interested in purchasing a rain barrel.

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What they’re saying

“You want to catch the rain that comes off your house... I can just open it up and water my tomato beds with it... Because you're not using city water on watering everything, you're using the rainwater from the sky, and that saves on the water bill.”

— Glenn McCurley, Owasso Recycling employee

“It helps the ground in a lot of ways because when the water is pouring off your house, it's making a hole in your ground there, and this right here collects it, and you can divide it out where you need to and water whatever you need.”

— Glenn McCurley, Owasso Recycling employee

“I would use it for flowers, I would use it for the garden. I would use it for anything instead of going to my faucet if I were going to use it. I wouldn't drink it. But anything outdoors or anything like that I would be using it for.”

— Kathryn Toothman, Resident

What’s next

Residents can order a rain barrel through the city's program website or by calling the Owasso Pretreatment & Stormwater Division. The barrels can be picked up on May 2nd at the new Owasso Public Works building.

The takeaway

Owasso's rain barrel program demonstrates how municipal initiatives can empower residents to adopt sustainable water practices and reduce their environmental impact, while also saving money on utility bills. As water scarcity becomes an increasing concern, these types of community-based conservation efforts will likely grow in importance.