At Microhouse we have years of experience designing rain gardens and other water retention systems. Whenever possible we incorporate rain gardens as part of our overall design strategy along with thoughtful drought tolerant plantings and reduced impervious surfaces. Contact us to find out more about the possibilities for your site including incentives. For the Ballard test area Seattle Pubic Utilities will pay $4 per square foot of impervious surface runoff collected.
Rain Gardens 101: Rain gardens are small retention ponds that collect runoff from impervious surfaces. In many parts of Seattle rain water that is not absorbed into the ground (runoff) is collected into combined sewer systems (CSO's) where it is combined with sanitary sewer. The cost of conveying and treating this runoff is considerable which is why Seattle Public Utilities can offer incentives to homeowners who reduce runoff by building rain gardens.
In a pristine environment, most rainwater would be absorbed into the ground, picked up by plants, or slowly percolate to recharge local streams and ground water. In urban area impervious surfaces like paving and roof tops prevent rainwater from entering the ground and must be collected and discharged. Increased runoff from these surfaces create excessive peak flows that lead to erosion and water degradation. Runoff often contains biological contamination from fertilizer and pet waste and oils from road and driveways. Rain gardens increase groundwater infiltration and break down these contaminants keeping them out of local waterways. Rain gardens also create meaningful water features and provide great landscaping opportunities.
Check out the Seattle Public Utilities Rainwise Program for more great resources.
Rain Gardens 101: Rain gardens are small retention ponds that collect runoff from impervious surfaces. In many parts of Seattle rain water that is not absorbed into the ground (runoff) is collected into combined sewer systems (CSO's) where it is combined with sanitary sewer. The cost of conveying and treating this runoff is considerable which is why Seattle Public Utilities can offer incentives to homeowners who reduce runoff by building rain gardens.
In a pristine environment, most rainwater would be absorbed into the ground, picked up by plants, or slowly percolate to recharge local streams and ground water. In urban area impervious surfaces like paving and roof tops prevent rainwater from entering the ground and must be collected and discharged. Increased runoff from these surfaces create excessive peak flows that lead to erosion and water degradation. Runoff often contains biological contamination from fertilizer and pet waste and oils from road and driveways. Rain gardens increase groundwater infiltration and break down these contaminants keeping them out of local waterways. Rain gardens also create meaningful water features and provide great landscaping opportunities.
Check out the Seattle Public Utilities Rainwise Program for more great resources.
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