The Okotoks Gardening Club is encouraging residents to start thinking about water harvesting this spring and summer.

They're hosting an event in partnership with the Town to provide education on the benefits of harvesting rain water.

A speaker with Water Harvesting Canada will be on hand to lead the discussion.

Susan Russell, President of the Okotoks Garden Club, says with another hot and dry summer on the way, it's something residents should consider.

"We had water restrictions last year which can kill your lawn. If you've got water in a water barrel then those restrictions won't impact you so much because you've got a reserve of water that has nothing to do with taking water out of the river."

There's benefits to using a rain water barrel aside from saving a bit of money.

"Saves you using water, particularly in a town like this where we don't have an abundance of water. If you can use rain barrels you help the community but you also help yourself. If we're going to have water restrictions like we did last year, having rain barrels of your own allows you to offset that."

Harvested water can also be used to wash vehicles and other outdoor items.

The Water Harvesting Workshop takes place Monday, Mar. 5 from 7- 9 p.m. at the Okotoks Operations Centre.

The event is free and participants will have the chance to win a free rain barrel courtesy of Home Hardware Okotoks.

To learn more click here.

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