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A rainwater garden can be a small planting area on the drainage outfall of a house or parking lot.
Rainwater is filtered naturally by the plants and soil in the
garden. Rainwater runoff, may contain pollutants including fertilizers,
pesticides, herbicides, yard wastes, sediment, and animal wastes.
This runoff drains into sewers and may endangers our water resources.
This runoff eutrophies waterways and produces a threat
to groundwater in the long term.
By keeping as much rainwater as
possible close to where it falls, the impact to our waterways
and groundwater can be reduced.
A rainwater garden is a relatively
small area of plantings near the drain spout of a building
or paved area. Rainwater is routed to the garden and filtered
naturally by the plants and soils in the garden. This filtration
process removes nutrients and pollutants. By acting as
a micro-detention pond, the raingarden plants and soils provide
an easy, natural way of reducing the amount of water that flows
from rooftops, lawns, and driveways. Then, using the concept of
bioretention, these gardens remove pollutants from storm water
and help restore natural infiltration.
Hardy native plant species
(with deep root systems) are preferred for raingardens.
Rainwater gardens can work virtually everywhere. Their location,
size, and effectiveness depend on such things as the amount of
rain that moves from a house/building, the number and location
of downspouts, soil types and the plants used. The gardens are
practical in landscaped areas along drives or walks, corner pieces
to the yard, and receiving areas for roof downspouts or sump pump
hoses. Maintenance is minimal once the rainwater garden is established.
The benefits are:
- Efficiently and effectively filters a substantial amount
of polluted runoff
- Attracts birds and butterflies
- Aesthetic landscaping for your property
- Helps recharge and renew neighborhood groundwater
- Slows flow of water from house/building
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