Last modified: Thursday, April 17, 2008 1:57 AM EDT Grant to let North offer residents rain barrels NORTH ATTLEBORO - Thanks to a grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection, the town is able to offer 15 rain barrels to residents at a discounted price. Residents can use New England Rain Barrels, which are available at the price of $56.50 - almost 50 percent off the regular price of $99- to conserve water, save money and reduce storm water runoff. The average homeowner uses approximately 40 percent of water for outdoor uses. A 1-inch rainfall on a 1,200-square-foot roof will yield more than 700 gallons of water. Using a rain barrel, resident can conserve some of this water as a quarter-inch of runoff from a roof will fill the barrel. The barrels are made from 55-gallon blue plastic recycled containers. The tops do not come off so children and pets cannot get inside the barrel. It has a six-inch diameter inlet opening covered with a screen louver to keep insects and debris out. The barrels have two brass spigots, one to allow the connection of a hose for watering and one for overflow. Orders may be placed and paid for in advance at the town's solid waste department in town hall. Barrels can be picked up on Monday, Friday or Saturday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the recycling center, located at 777 Mount Hope St.