Water Conservation & Storage Program (Pilot)

Region of Queens Municipality has introduced a pilot program in 2026 to helps residents collect and store water for everyday non-drinking uses. Through the program, residents of Queens County can purchase rain barrels and water totes at a subsidized cost to help conserve water and reduce use of household wells during dry weather.

The program will help residents to make the most of the water they already have in their wells. By collecting rainwater and storing non-drinking water for everyday uses, residents can reduce the demand on their wells, and have extra water available during dry periods.

The goal of the Water Conservation & Storage Program (Pilot) is to help households become better prepared while encouraging water conservation across the Region.

To read a list of frequently asked questions about the program, click here.

Program Overview

Who can apply? Any resident of the Region of Queens Municipality may apply, subject to program eligibility and available funding. The program is first come, first served, and limited quantities are available. Methods of payment accepted are are credit card, debit, PayPal, and etransfer for online purchases, and cash when ordering in person at the Administration Building or at a community information session.
** Please note that while any household may purchase rain barrels through the program, customers of the Region of Queens Water Utility are not eligible to purchase or receive water totes.

How much does it cost? Cost of rain barrels and water totes are being subsidized by Region of Queens Municipality so residents have an affordable way to conserve water.

Eligible low-income households receive one rain barrel and one water tote at no cost. Low-income eligibility will be confirmed by the Municipality based on eligibility under Administrative Policy 9: Tax Exemptions.
The Municipality will pay 70% of the cost, and the households who do not qualify as a low-income pay the remaining 30%. The cost for a rain barrel to residents is $25, and a water tote is $125 (prices include HST).
The program is first come, first served, and limited quantities are available.
Methods of payment accepted are are credit card, debit, PayPal, etransfer, and cash when ordering in person at the Administration Building or at a community information session.

How many items can I receive? Eligible low-income households receive one rain barrel at no charge, and one water tote at no cost. Maximum purchases per household are two rain barrels at $25 each, or one water tote at $125 (prices include HST). The program is first come, first served, and limited quantities are available. Methods of payment accepted are are credit card, debit, PayPal, etransfer, and cash when ordering in person at the Administration Building or at a community information session.
Please note, a minimum quantity must be reached for Region of Queens Municipality to order the water totes; if the quantity is not reached, orders for water totes will be cancelled and refunds issued to those who purchased one.

Pickup & Delivery – Will I need to pick up my rain barrel or water tote? Rain barrels and water totes will be delivered to the registered civic address under the approved delivery model. Rain barrels are expected to be delivered between July 17 and July 31, 2026. Water tote delivery details will be shared before deliveries begin.

What comes with my rain barrel? Each rain barrel comes with filter basket, a T-shaped overflow outlet, overflow hose, and spigot.

Does the program provide drinking water? No. This program helps residents collect and store non-potable water for everyday uses. Residents remain responsible for obtaining safe drinking water from an approved potable water source.

What is the capacity of the rain barrels and water totes? Rain Barrels are 220litre (55 gallon) and the water totes are 1,000 litre (275 gallon).

Why isn’t the Municipality providing drinking water? The program is designed to help households collect and store non-drinking water for everyday uses such as watering gardens and flushing toilets. This helps residents save their drinking water for cooking, drinking and personal use.

Will this program solve my water shortage? No. The program is one tool to help households manage water more efficiently. Every property and every well is different.

What if my well runs dry? This program cannot prevent a well from running dry. It helps residents reduce the amount of drinking water used for everyday activities by storing water for non-potable uses. Conserving water early is the best way to help your well during dry weather.

REGISTRATION

How do I apply? Residents may apply:

Online https://rainbarrel.ca/queenscounty (website will go live on June 22, 2026)
By telephone – 902-354-5741, ext. 2242
In-person at the Municipal Administration Building, 249 White Point Road, Liverpool from Monday through Friday (hours of operation in June are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. , and July 2 onward, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
At a Community Information Session – drop in at a session that is conveniently located for you, any time between 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
- June 22, 2026 – Port Medway Fire Hall, 66 Long Cove Road, Port Medway
- June 25, 2026 – West Queens Community Centre, 70 Riverhead Road, Port Mouton
- June 29, 2026 – Greenfield Recreation Centre, 5048 Highway 210, Greenfield
- June 30, 2026 – Queens Place Emera Centre, 50 Queens Place Drive, Liverpool
- July 2, 2026 – North Queens Fire Hall, 9793 Highway 8, Caledonia

When does registration open? Monday, June 22, 2026

When does registration close? Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

How are purchases processed? Purchases are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

What happens if the program fills up? Additional applications will be placed on a waitlist. If inventory becomes available, residents will be contacted in the order applications were received.

Region of Queens Municipality