Mt. Airy BID to use rain barrels to reduce storm water fees

Mt. Airy Business Improvement District (BID) is partnering with the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) to bring 15 rain barrels to Germantown Avenue this spring.

The barrels will capture rainwater to reduce surface run-off and stormwater management costs for property owners. The rain collected will also be used to water BID’s greenery projects, such as spring flower baskets.

Mt. Airy Business Improvement District (BID) Executive Director Hollie Malamud-Price said that last year property owners along Germantown Avenue “were very generous” by donating water to BID for maintaining flowers the association had installed along the corridor. “This year we will not need that,” she remarked.

BID had initially sought to install 10 rain barrels but later identified 15 good placement locations along the avenue. PWD agreed to the five barrel increase. The project is part of PWD’s Stormwater Management Incentives Program.

Another component of the project is a “call out to artists” to decorate the barrels “using the themes of community, eco-friendly, and conservation” Malamud-Price said.  Those interested in participating would be responsible for pick-up, painting, and return of rain barrels to BID. After that, BID will install the barrels along the avenue during an unveiling event.

BID will be receiving PWD rain barrels next week, after which they will soon be available for artist pick-up. Artists must finish decorating the barrels by the second week of April. “We’re going to be the first BID in the city to have rain barrels,” proclaimed Malamud-Price.

Contact Hollie Malamud-Price at 215-844-6490 or hollie@mtairybid.com for more information.