Stay informed during times of heavy rain – It’s winter time in Seattle and as many of us know this (usually) means rain; lots of it. What some of us don’t know is that, in many areas of our city, it also means that our Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) system may overflow, causing polluted stormwater to pour into our streets and eventually our waterways. Thankfully, rain gardens, as offered through Seattle’s RainWise program with support from our 12,000 Rain Gardens program are able to absorb and filter stormwater. Rain gardens provide a beautiful and functional way to reduce water pollution locally and regionally.
Click here to learn the current status of the CSO basin near you. Click here to learn if you qualify for resources to get a free rain garden through RainWise.
*Please note that it may be unsafe to fish in areas impacted by a CSO overflow. Stay away from polluted water for 48 hours after an overflow occurs.
For decades, people living along eighth avenue NW in Puyallup , Washington watched helplessly as their yards and streets flooded during heavy rainstorms. With each flood rivers of water tainted with lawn chemicals, car oil, animal waste and other pollutants poured into sewers and area waterways. But, a few years ago, residents found a cost-effective solution to their problem: gardens designed to manage the rain. Work with local authorities and landscape designers, residents installed bioretention cells, or rain gardens into thir yards and along the two-block avenue. We haven’t had flooding problems since,” says homeowner, Steve Hollis “and the rain garden in our front yard has improved both the appearance and value of our property. 