A rain garden is a shallow depression planted with native plants and grasses that is positioned near a source of runoff like a downspout or driveway. Rain gardens capture runoff, slowing pollutants and conserving water while improving water quality, recharging groundwater, and creating habitat for birds and insects. Runoff is considered bad because when rain hits impervious surfaces like driveways and concrete, it picks up pollutants and flows into sewer systems instead of soaking into the ground.

1. Try a Rain Garden! For more information:
www.GrayWaterAction.org
What are they?What are they?What are they?
A rain garden is a shallow depression that is
planted with deep-rooted native plants and
grasses.
The garden should be positioned near a runoff
source like a downspout, driveway or sump
pump .
Rain GardensRain GardensRain Gardens
What are their benefits? They…What are their benefits? They…What are their benefits? They…
 Capture runoff,
slowing the flow of
pollutants that reach
the sewer system
 Conserve water
 Reduce garden
Maintenance
 Improve water quality
 Recharge local
groundwater
 Create habitat for
native birds and insects
 And so much more!
Do you have problems
with runoff in your yard?
Why is
runoff
considered
bad?
Anatomy of a
Residential Rain Garden
2% 14% 73% 85% 98-100%
PERCENTAGE (%) OF SURFACE RUNOFF ON A VARIETY OF SURFACES
GOOD GROUND
COVER
FAIR GROUND
COVER
POOR GROUND
COVER
BARE GROUND
COVER
CONCRETE/
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
When rain or snow falls onto the earth, it starts moving according to the laws of
gravity. A portion of the precipitation seeps into the ground to replenish Earth's
groundwater. Most of it flows downhill as runoff, carrying pollutants with it.