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A Wallyhood Waters series

If you’re planning a yard renovation this summer, consider installing a rain garden, a cistern, or even both. Here’s why: We live above Lake Union, the most urbanized lake in King County. Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has made major improvements to protect our waterways with the Ship Canal Water Quality Project by adding an underground storage tunnel starting on Stone Way N across from the Transfer Station. This huge project will help prevent overflow of sewer and stormwater from entering our lakes untreated. However, during our heavy rainstorms, where downhill streets turn into mini rivers rushing towards Lake Union, the water picks up contaminants along the way. An example of this is a chemical from car tires called 6PPDQ, which is killing our salmon.

Installing a rain garden helps prevent water runoff by providing a shallow depression in the ground for water to collect and soak into the soil. It can be filled with native plants that support pollinators and other native wildlife. Installing a stormwater cistern allows you to harvest and store rainwater for your garden by using a large above-ground container attached to your downspout. The water can be used during the dry days of summer. You can see examples of each at the Good Shepherd P-Patch.

RainWise, a partnership between SPU and King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD), provides information about rain gardens and cisterns, as well as support and, for eligible Seattle properties, rebates for their installation.

Here are the five steps to becoming RainWise:

1. Check your eligibility
2. Connect with a contractor and make a plan
3. Installation
4. Rebate application
5. Maintenance

For ideas and inspiration, check out these resources:

• RainWise Stories
• Rain Garden Handbook

Editor’s note: see past articles in Kerri’s series “Wallyhood Waters”:

• Tilth and SPU Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Sustainability Stewardship Training Program
• Our Salmon Neighbors
• The Big Dark!?