Indiana Water Environment Association

Annual Conference

August 20th – 22nd, 2025 at Indianapolis Convention Center

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 Form

Thank you for your interest in painting a rain barrel! These barrels will be provided at no cost and returned to IWEA to auction off at the IWEA Annual Conference. All proceeds go to Water for People.

If you are a student class, put the name of your school and then your grade level.
Contact Name
Just put the name of the location like "Anderson Elementary School" or "Smith Engineering". You will enter the address next. This is to help us plan pick-up/drop-off.
What is the address of this location?
Most groups only do 1 but you are welcome to do multiple of your group is large.
Will you be able to provide your own art supplies?
You may use any acrylic base paint. Please refrain from oil base paints. See painting instructions below for more information.

Painting Instructions

  1. Wash barrel with garden hose to remove any dirt or other unforeseen matter.
  2. Lightly sand barrel to create a bond for the paint.
    • The entire surface area (edge to edge) does not need fully sanded.
  3. Wipe / dust off any loose sanding debris.
  4. Apply paints using brush or roller.
  5. See reference chart below for mixing primary colors to obtain other colors.
  6. 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 sponsors

Seeking Paint Sponsors

IWEA is currently seeking sponsors to provide “paint kits” to our groups who cannot provide their own paint materials. This would consist of different acrylic based paints and brushes. We will know more details once our groups submit their interest.

Our sponsors will receive:

  • Recognition on IWEA website & digital communications surrounding the Rain Barrel Program
  • Signage near the barrels being auctioned at the IWEA Annual Conference

Indiana Water
Environment Association

6510 Telecom Dr, Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46278

317-686-2664

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