The city of Cape Coral is offering a rain barrel workshop this weekend. In the workshop, you will get a rain barrel, learn how to make one and install it.
It may help residents who live in parts of the cape with water shortages, but the city said they only have so many, so they recommend you register now.
Cape Coral resident Teresa O'Hair said, "I've always liked the idea of rain barrels,"
Rain barrels collect rain runoff from your roof, so you can use it later.
"If the city's going to provide them, that's even better," O'Hair said.
O'Hair said she's heard of them, but she’s never thought about using them until now.
"We've been through hurricanes, and when we have no water during the hurricanes, you could use that to boil it, drink it, or wash things," she said. "It's good to have, I think."
These could make a difference for people in the north part of Cape Coral that are living under serious restrictions because of a water shortage.
"I feel bad for the people in the North who are not hooked up to the city water, and their wells are drying up because that's something we would not be able to afford," she said.
"They should start having water locations where people come to pick up free water, or they should start making deliveries or something," said Cape Coral Scott Mahoney.
Florida Gulf Coast University professor Tom Missimer knows rain barrels won’t solve the problem.
"Since barrels are fairly small, and the irrigation demand is fairly large, it would take quite a few barrels to fill to do a complete yard irrigation," Missimer said.
He said it could be a band-aid for things like watering your plants or flushing your toilet. Missimer said biggest issue is when it comes to rain barrels is that they don’t offer anything if it doesn't rain.
"Florida has a rainy season," Mahoney said. "It's called a rainy season for a reason. Otherwise, it doesn't rain. What are you going to be collecting? You'll be collecting dust."
The workshop will be held at Rotary Park Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The barrel costs $50, and the city asks you to pay in advance.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more.