Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

DPW promotes water conservation with discounted rain barrels

FILE PHOTO/STEVE McGRATH

In order to encourage residents to engage in more water conservation efforts, the Department of Public Works has started up a rain barrel program.

“It’s just a way for people to do something to help reduce their water and help us overall [in] responding to the drought,” said DPW director Kerry Reed.

The DPW has enacted a community discount program in partnership with The Great American Rain Barrel Company. Residents can order a 60-gallon rain barrel recycled from old shipping drums for $85-$89, depending on the model. The barrels are screened to help keep out mosquitos and can be purchased alongside other accessories such as a downspout water diverter and decorative river stones.

The items are available to purchase through The Great American Rain Barrel Company’s website. Orders can be placed through Sept. 16, and the DPW will distribute the barrels at its Wood Street facility on Sept. 26.

Reed explained that the barrels help reduce stormwater runoff and conserve drinking water. This, in turn, helps support groundwater resources, along with rivers, ponds and other wetlands. She added that the program also aligns with initiatives from the Sustainable Green Committee.

“It supports a lot of of different town goals,” she said.

One of those is the town’s compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s stormwater program, for which the town is required to have a permit. Reed said the rain barrels are one of the “easiest ways to get compliance” with the various EPA requirements the DPW has to meet.

Hopkinton remains in a Level 2 significant drought status as of Aug. 7. According to the Water Resource Commission’s Drought Management Task Force, above-average rainfall in July helped replenish rivers, streams and soil but did not fully ease drought conditions. The town’s drought conditions have remained critical or significant throughout the year, and it extended mandatory water supply conservation restrictions back in March.

Reed said those interested in the program have a chance to check out the rain barrels before putting in an order. The DPW hopes to display them at the PolyArts festival and Hopkinton Family Day. As well, a display model is available to view at the library. She remarked that the display coincided with the library’s summer offerings.

“It was timed really well because the library’s summer reading program was ‘Plant a Seed,’ ” Reed said. “It’s a nice way to complement different town programs.”

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

MassDOT began a right lane closure on I-495 northbound Saturday and will continue overnight ramp closures at the I-90/I-495 interchange this week.

Town meetings tonight include the Commissioners of Trust Funds (5), Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board (6) and Planning Board (7).

Photo of the Day

Painted rocks line the edge of the Hopkinton Girl Scouts’ bee garden on the Center Trail.

PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD