Vote for these artistic rain barrels painted by RPS 5th graders

Rain barrels don’t have to be ugly blue barrels as these students prove.

April 16, 2014; 10:50 AM • by Richard Hayes

I often get caught up in all the things that RPS is doing wrong. It is easy to forget that there are some pretty amazing projects out there that we just don’t hear about. This “Build a Barrel – Save the Bay” is one such example. Take the time to check out the rest of the barrels and vote, you only have until next Friday.

From the city website.

As part of Virginia’s “Build a Barrel – Save the Bay” program, the city of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is asking you to VOTE on some pretty amazing rain barrels! The 55-gallon rain barrels were donated to 27 city of Richmond Public Elementary schools and decorated by 5th grade classes.

We are asking YOU and your friends to vote on which rain barrel you think is:

The Most Creative

The Most Outrageous

Tells the Best Environmental Story

Deadline for voting is Friday, April 25 at Noon. Please only vote for one barrel per category.

Winning barrels will be on display and announced at the Earth Day Festival at the 17th Street Farmers Market in Shockoe Bottom on April 26 by a DPU Stormwater representative.

Stop by the DPU Stormwater booth for more information about DPU’s Stormwater Utility.
Click here to view all of the barrels and to vote.

At the end of the contest, each rain barrel will be donated to city of Richmond residents living in Bellemeade or the Goodes Creek neighborhood.