Fresh water is a precious resource. Yet when precipitation falls from the sky, the majority of the time it ends up in a sewer system. If a method existed that captured fresh, uncontaminated water, would you use it? Homeowners: we’ve got good news! There is a viable method of capturing rainwater that is inexpensive and also boosts the aesthetic beauty of your property: A rain garden.
EPA researchers say that man-made surfaces like roofs and roads aren’t like natural grassland or forest areas that absorb the water even in a heavy downpour. Instead, the run off from these surfaces drains into pipes that feed into sewer systems. So when a torrent of rain produces heavy run off, sewer systems may back up, and that can lead to sewage contamination of your property.
Create a rain garden from native plants or grasses that are planted in areas where run off occurs. The idea is to prevent rainwater from entering the sanitary sewer system through strategic placement of rocks and other barriers that slow the flow of water, allowing it to slowly seep into the ground. Advocates for this landscaping method associated with the Rain Garden Network say the benefits are two-fold. In addition to the natural beauty a rain garden brings to your property, it also ensures precious fresh water that would otherwise end up in the sewers is conserved and resupplies ground water. When the water seeps into the soil where the garden is planted, it infiltrates the soil and turf and nourishes your landscaping plants with fresh water.
So rather than letting clean water run right off your driveway and into the sewer, consider planting a rain garden. To get started, take a look at this interactive map that will help you find the best native grasses and plants for your region.