Got a barrel? Let it rain!

Every time I write about rain barrels -- how they help slow the flow of rainwater by capturing the first gushes that come out of your rain gutter, which in turn minimizes runoff to streams -- people want to know where they can get one. And why, if the city thinks they're so important, they can't get one for free.

Here's your chance.

The Energy Coordinating Agency and the Philadelphia Water Department are providing rain barrels free of charge to residents of Philadelphia's watersheds who attend an education workshop.

Ten are scheduled, starting tomorrow (June 22) and continuing through June 29.

Click here to see the dates and places and to register. There's also additional information about rain barrel benefits.