FY26 -DOEE-WPD-Automated Rain Barrel Protype

The District of Columbia’s Department of Energy and Environment is forecasting a contract opportunity to design, build, and test a prototype automated rain barrel system that will discharge collected stormwater automatically prior to an anticipated storm. The goal is to create a smart, residential-scale solution that increases the capacity of rain barrels to capture more runoff during heavy rainfall events by preemptively emptying them, thereby enhancing stormwater management and reducing urban flooding. The prototype must be reliable, user-friendly, and suitable for widespread residential deployment, incorporating sensors or weather data integration to trigger discharge cycles based on forecasted precipitation. The project is part of FY26 planning under the DOEE’s Water and Pollution Division and is intended to support broader environmental resilience initiatives in the District. While specific funding details, timeline, and technical requirements have not yet been released, the solicitation is anticipated to seek proposals from innovators with expertise in IoT devices, hydrology systems, and environmental engineering. The prototype will be evaluated on functionality, durability, scalability, and potential for integration with municipal weather monitoring systems. Performance validation will include real-world testing under simulated storm conditions to ensure the system consistently and safely empties the barrel before rain arrives without causing overflow or infrastructure stress.