Rainwater from your yard can carry motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers, pet waste, and other pollutants into road storm drains. Many storm drain systems carry unfiltered polluted stormwater directly into our local water bodies. According to the U.S. EPA, more than half of the rainwater that falls in an urban area will become polluted stormwater runoff.

In cities and suburbs, impervious surfaces like roofs, roads, parking lots, and driveways prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground. The EPA estimates that this generates nine times more stormwater runoff than a similar sized woodland.

On a 1000 square foot roof, a 1/4 inch of rain will produce 150 gallons of water. If your roof down spout directs this water to an impervious surface like a driveway, this unfiltered water can flow directly into road storm drains. Many of our storm drains in Suffolk County carry this unfiltered polluted water directly into bays and harbors.

Rain gardens are designed to collect stormwater and allow it to soak into the ground, instead of flowing into storm drains and waterways. As a result, rain gardens trap and retain common pollutants and help reduce localized flooding.

Creating a rain garden is a great family "do it yourself" project that can be completed in an afternoon and will provide years of beauty and reduce stormwater pollution.