When rain falls on Miller Park's 8.5-acre roof next year, "some of the water would drain" into extra-large barrels "set out at three locations around the outside of the stadium" as part of a proposed storm-water management plan, according to Don Behm of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. Each barrel "would hold 1,500 gallons" of water that would have normally been discharged into the Menomonee River. A preliminary study by The Sigma Group of Milwaukee showed that the three barrels "would collect nearly 100,000 gallons of rain during the plant growing seasons of spring, summer and fall." A tanker truck "could pull up to each barrel and be filled with water for irrigating flowers and plots of trees, shrubs and grass planted around the parking lots and walkways." Miller Park Stadium District Exec Dir Mike Duckett said that installing the barrels "would reduce by 53% the amount of drinking water from the Milwaukee Water Works that is purchased by the Brewers baseball club for exterior irrigation." Proposed exterior locations "would ensure the tall rain barrels are visible to everyone attending games." The Sigma Group said that the cost of "buying and installing each extra-large rain barrel is estimated at $30,000 to $35,000." Duckett said that the Brewers "likely will sell corporate sponsorships, or naming rights, to each barrel as a way to reduce its costs." Duckett added that he "has not asked the stadium district board to fund any portion of the costs." The Brewers "likely will be tagged for whatever share is not covered by sponsorships and grants." Installing oversize rain barrels "is in line with other recent Brewers projects aimed at conserving water, increasing energy efficiency and boosting recycling of waste" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 12/23).
