Capturing rainwater from your rooftop is a smart way to lower your water bill, help protect our lakes, streams and rivers, and conserve water. Harvested rainwater is free of chloride, fluoride, and other additives often found in municipal tap water, making it a great option for watering your lawn, potted plants, or gardens. Slowly releasing water from your rain barrel after a storm allows it to seep back into the ground. This reduces the amount of polluted runoff that enters area storm drains and eventually washes into our waters.
Harvested rainwater is non-potable and should not be used for drinking, cooking, swimming pools, fishponds or bird baths.
Dane County and the Madison Area Municipal Stormwater Partnership (MAMSWaP) are selling 50-gallon rain barrels for $82 (typically retails for ~$130), with a limit of four per household. This sale is open to all Dane County residents. You may be eligible for a $30 reimbursement if you live in a MAMSWaP community (see the "Reimbursement Program" tab for more details). In addition, your municipality may offer a rebate on your stormwater bill for installing a rain barrel.
Pickup Locations
Rain barrels will be available for pickup at the Middleton Recycling Center, Deforest Yard Waste Site, or Stoughton Public Works Facility. You will select your pickup location at checkout.
Middleton Recycling Center
Address: 4330 Parmenter St; Middleton, WI 53562
Pickup Instructions: Park near the exit of the recycling center (on the south side of the building). Do not enter the building or block the exit. Have your receipt ready to show when you arrive and an attendee will be out to help you shortly!
Pickup Times:
Website: https://cityofmiddleton.us/recyclingcenter
Deforest Yard Waste Site
Address: 610 N. Stevenson Street; Deforest, WI
Pickup Instructions: Have your receipt ready when you drive up, and an attendee will be out to help you shortly.
Hours of Operation: March 30 through November 22
Website: https://www.vi.deforest.wi.us/270/Yard-Waste-Site
Stoughton Public Works Facility
Address: 2439 County Hwy A; Stoughton, WI 53589
Pickup Instructions: Park in the main parking lot. Come in the front door and let the people at the front desk know you are there to pick up a rain barrel. Bring your receipt to show the front desk staff.
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Website: https://www.stoughtonpublicworks.com/
The Madison Area Municipal Stormwater Partnership (MAMSWaP) is offering a $30 reimbursement for anyone who purchases and installs a rain barrel through Dane County (Ripple Effects) in 2025, with a limit of four reimbursements per household. You are eligible to apply if you meet the following:
I purchased a rain barrel through Dane County (Ripple Effects) in 2025.
I installed the rain barrel on a downspout within 60 days from the date of purchase.
To receive a reimbursement, please follow instructions on the reimbursement form, below:
Contact Claudia Guy, P.E. at guy.claudia@danecounty.gov with questions regarding this program.