About Us

The Rain Barrel Depot is owned by Gene and Peggy Kelly and is located in the North Atlanta suburb of Norcross. 

“We are basically in the people business,” says founder, Gene Kelly. “In North America, our goal is to help people conserve the water resources  and be better stewards of the water resources we have been given.  Internationally, our goal is to help people increase their access to the one basic necessity to live, "clean water”.  

Gene adds, "We are excited about our line of water back packs that can be used to carry clean water in third world countries.  Studies have shown that almost 70% of people in hospitals in third world countries are due to people drinking  contaminated water. Numerous organizations are drilling fresh water wells world wide, however the people are still using contaminated containers and jerry cans to transport the water. One of our goals is to eliminate the "jerry can".

Furthermore he adds, “The days of cutting a faucet on in our own country and North America with out counting the costs are coming to an end.” 

The 1982 graduate of the UGA Terry College of Business was in the residential construction business when an Earthcraft class called his attention to the opportunity of water sustainability in residential and commercial construction. 

A native of Macon, Georgia, Gene has always had a keen appreciation for water as he spent hunting and fishing in the Ocmulgee River and Bond Swamp south of Macon. 

As an avid outdoorsman, he has always had a strong appreciation for clean water and conservation efforts for the outdoors. 

Gene and a partner started rainwater harvesting installation company in 2007 that did not have the success they envisioned because of the economic downturn.

However, Gene continued with the rain barrel business as he believes that water use in the United States is only going to get more regulated as the supply and quality of our water resources diminish. 

Gene and his wife Peggy have two children Margaret and Alex who attend the University of Georgia in Athens.  They attend North Point Community Church in Alpharetta.