Indiana Water Environment Association
Annual Conference
August 20th – 22nd, 2025 at Indianapolis Convention Center
Indiana Water
Environment Association
6510 Telecom Dr, Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46278
317-686-2664
Get Creative for a Cause with IWEA’s Rain Barrel Program
Bring the water cycle to life with IWEA’s Rain Barrel Program! This unique initiative gives school groups and community organizations the opportunity to combine art, education, and environmental impact. Participating groups receive a rain barrel from IWEA to paint with their own creative designs—making it a fun, hands-on way to explore water conservation and sustainability. Once painted, the barrels are professionally clear-coated and auctioned off at the IWEA Annual Conference, with all proceeds benefiting Water for People, a nonprofit dedicated to global clean water access.
This is a perfect activity to pair with a lesson on the water cycle, stormwater management, or environmental stewardship. Want to get involved? Express your interest today and help make a difference—one rain barrel at a time!
Rain Barrel interest has closed. Thank you to everyone who has agreed to paint a barrel. You will be contacted with pick-up information soon.
Painting Instructions
- Wash barrel with garden hose to remove any dirt or other unforeseen matter.
- Lightly sand barrel to create a bond for the paint.
- The entire surface area (edge to edge) does not need fully sanded.
- Wipe / dust off any loose sanding debris.
- Apply paints using brush or roller.
- See reference chart below for mixing primary colors to obtain other colors.
- More supplies may need purchased, depending on the desired design of the barrel.
Please refrain from using oil base paints when using your own materials. There is a clear coating that is applied to protect your art after you paint it! Use only acrylic based products, if possible.
Thank you to our Coating Sponsor
All rain barrels will have their clear coatings provided by Deco Coatings.
Thank you to our Paint Sponsor
Select barrels will have their art kits provided by Wessler Engineering.