“New York City’s Department of Environment Protection (DEP) is giving away 55-gallon rain barrels to homeowners – 1,000 barrels this year. The program began in spring 2008 when the DEP distributed 250 barrels to homeowners in Queens. In 2009, 750 barrels were distributed to homeowners. The program was initiated by the Jamaica Bay Watershed Protection Plan. On July 20, 2005 New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed a City Council bill which required the DEP to create a protection plan for the Jamaica Bay watershed.”
New York Gives Homeowners Free Rain Barrels via Gina-Marie Cheeseman – Triple Pundit