A rain garden is designed to help rainwater runoff from impervious surfaces like roads, parking lots, and buildings soak into the ground slowly which naturally replenishes the ground water beneath the surface. The hardy plants in rain gardens help remove toxins from the water through their roots.
What the City is doing:
- In summer 2024, the City will be installing its first two municipal rain gardens at Armory Park and South Common
- DPD is working closely with the Wastewater Department to plan additional rain gardens in parks and public spaces to support sewer separation efforts
What YOU can do:
Rain Garden Facts:
- The US EPA estimates that pollutants carried by rainwater runoff account for 70% of all water pollution.
- Rain gardens are effective in removing up to 90% of nutrients and chemicals and up to 80% of sediments from the rainwater runoff.
- Compared to a conventional lawn, rain gardens allow for 30% more water to soak into the ground.
- Rain gardens typically hold water only during and following a rain event. Because rain gardens will drain within 12-48 hours, they prevent the breeding of mosquitos.
Source: “All about Rain Gardens – What They Are & How to Build One.” The Groundwater Foundation, 2 Nov. 2022, groundwater.org/rain-gardens/#:~:text=Rain%20gardens%20are%20effective%20in%20removing%20up%20to,rain%20garden%20is%20dry%20most%20of%20the%20time.
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