125 East Erie St.
	Painesville OH 44077
	Phone: (440)350-2730 Fax: (440)350-2601
	soil@lakecountyohio.org

Stormwater

Stormwater is the fallen rain and melted snow that does not soak into the soil to become groundwater.  Stormwater in rural areas flows over vegetated soil, eventually finding its way to a headwater stream.  In urban areas, this system is often bypassed by gutters, downspouts, and storm drains.  Hard surfaces keep water from soaking into the ground.  Additionally, pollutants from rooftops, parking areas, and roads are carried by the stormwater.   All of the runoff gets piped to the nearest river, or directly to the lake in some neighborhoods.  The water, and whatever it picked up along the way, is released, untreated, into the same waters we swim, fish, and boat in. 

In new construction, developers often install swales, french drains, or other devices designed to retain stormwater and allow it to soak into the ground.  But older houses are often 'tied in' in that their downspouts are connected by a pipe to the storm drain system.  These houses are excellent candidates for rain gardens.

A rain garden is a small landscaping feature designed to collect stormwater and allow it to soak into the ground.  Think of it as a sunken bed instead of a raised bed.  With a little extra attention paid to plant and mulch choices, and some relatively easy math, a rain garden is no more trouble than any other garden.

For more information about rain gardens, download this pdf, or contact the office for a Rain Garden Manual