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Charleston Rainproof
Charleston Rainproof is about us, the whole community- working together towards a common goal of addressing increasingly frequent and heavy rainfall.
The concept is simple: utilize both public and private spaces to capture rainwater.
The program draws inspiration from Amsterdam Rainproof, and is a recommendation from the Dutch Dialogues.
Charleston Rainproof Pilot Project: Fall 2019
The City of Charleston is collaborating with Clemson Extension and a group of eager volunteers willing to install new rain gardens and rain barrels at their properties. The project will track data on the gallons of rainwater the new systems capture and ultimately divert from the City's central stormwater drainage system. The data will be available for others to learn from.
"Amsterdam's motto is 'Every Drop Counts', and they believe small individual actions incrementally add up to have a collective community-wide impact that better manages flooding and water quality."
Pilot Project Next Steps
Two neighborhoods stepped up to pilot in their specific areas in masses. Special thanks to Old Windermere and Riverland Terrace, and the many other volunteers who are excited and committed to being part of a community-wide solution!
Are You Interested in Joining the Pilot Project?
All property owners are welcome to join, residents and businesses, please contact Katie for more information at mckaink@charleston-sc.gov.
----- Pilot Project Timeline -----
Phase 1: Interest and Research
- Volunteers expressed interest to install a rain garden / rain barrel
- City & Clemson shared resources with volunteers: www.clemson.edu/raingarden/
- City & Clemson hosted Demonstration Workshop (9/25/19) on rain garden and rain barrel site design, and provided helpful guides
Please note, while Phase I was completed in September 2019, all materials that were discussed at the workshop are all available online and are complete resources. You need not have attended the workshop to be able to be part of the pilot project.
Phase II: Site Analysis
- Volunteers utilize examples from workshop & Clemson resources to analyze their site, determine ideal location, and complete the "Rain Garden Worksheet" on page 11 of A Guide to Rain Gardens in SC
- As desired, a Master Rain Gardener can verify site analysis prior to construction
Phase III: Construction
- Volunteers plan for and purchase supplies needed, such as plants and soil amendments (per existing soil type/jar test)
- Volunteers pick an install day, invite friends & neighbors to help!
- Volunteers have fun installing their new rain gardens!
Note, you can choose to hire a Clemson certified Master Rain Gardener who can prepare, design and install your system(s) for you.
For Hire: Certified Master Rain Gardener List
Phase IV: Provide Capacity Metrics to City
- Provide the below inputs to City to determine gallons of rainwater your system(s) captures and diverts from the stormwater system:
- Inputs Needed for Rain Gardens
- Size of impervious areas being diverted to rain garden (square feet)
- Volume capacity of rain garden (gallons)
- Inputs Needed for Rain Barrels
- Size of impervious areas being diverted to rain barrel (square feet)
- Volume capacity of rain barrel (gallons)
- Inputs Needed for Rain Gardens
- City to track metrics and compare with CoCoRaHS rainfall data
Phase V: Perform Maintenance
- Volunteers inspect and perform maintenance as needed: Rain Garden Maintenance Tips
- Volunteers utilize water stored in rain barrels as soon as possible and within the first week
Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a landscaped depression full of water-loving plants that absorbs excess rainwater. Rain gardens pair well with rainwater cisterns, also called rain barrels. Rain barrels are typically installed to store rainwater from a rooftop surface, reducing the amount of rainwater that may otherwise directly enter stormwater drainage inlets. Rain gardens can be designed so rain barrel overflow (once it's full) is directed to the rain garden. Rain captured in the cistern can be reused, such as irrigating plants during a dry spell.
Rain Barrels
Rain barrels and rain gardens catch rainwater which would otherwise flow into drainage infrastructure and over dirty streets. These approaches work in concert with nature to collect and filter runoff, mitigate flooding, and minimize pollution while helping to save money and energy too.
When rainwater can collected and harnessed on site at the source (where it falls), the community gains lots of benefits such as reduced runoff, increased water quality, and the overall less quantity of water overburdening any undersized drainage infrastructure.