Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a landscaped depression full of water-loving plants that absorbs excess rainwater. Rain gardens pair well with rainwater harvesting systems using a "treatment train" approach, this is where any overflow after a rain barrel is full is directed into the rain garden.
Rainwater Harvesting Systems: Rain Barrels and Cisterns
Rainwater harvesting systems, such as rain barrels and cisterns, are typically installed to capture and store rainwater from a rooftop surface, reducing the amount of rainwater that may otherwise directly enter stormwater drainage inlets. . Rainwater captured in the harvesting system can be reused, such as irrigating plants during a dry spell. Rain barrels and cisterns perform the same function, however cisterns are usually a larger capacity and more commonly used in commercial projects.
Why It Matters
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 is collected and harnessed on site at the source (where it falls), the community gains lots of benefits such as reduced runoff, water quality protection, and the overall less quantity of water overburdening older, undersized drainage infrastructure.