Green Infrastructure
Rain gardens help to increase groundwater filtration that recharges aquifers, is valuable for birds, butterflies and can reduce pollutants that get into our waterways. Below are links to help you select the plants as well has how to create a rain garden in your yard.
Other sites for more information
Rain Barrels are a way to capture rain water from your roof to use on your plants instead of water from the hose, saving you money and helping the environment. Capturing rain runoff can potentially decrease pollution entering our rivers and Lake Michigan. You could also qualify for a one time credit on your water bill with installation of a rain barrel. Refer to the Stormwater Utility page for more details on potential credits.
Native landscaping uses plants that create a beautiful yard as well as have deep growing root systems that help break up the soil, allowing more water to drain into the ground. Using native plants can also create habitat for local birds, bees, and butterflies.
Using trees known as storm water trees help decrease storm water run off by helping to soak the rain water into the ground as well as hold rain on the leaves until it evaporates. Trees also add value to your property. The full benefit of storm water trees is not realized until they are mature so they are not a quick fix for storm water issues.
Rainscaping are specially designed landscapes whose function is to retain and infiltrate a known quantity of runoff that occurs in non-porous surfaces. Examples of these areas are: rooftops, driveways, parking lots, or streets. Rain water is directed into these structures for the rain to soak into the area instead of entering storm sewers.
Porous pavement is a specialized structure that allows rain water to soak into the surface and engineered stone layers below instead of creating runoff like roads, parking lots and driveways will. You may be eligible for a one time rebate if you install porous pavements. Information on the rebate program is found in the Stormwater Utility Information.
Respect Our Waters - Pervious Pavement
Downspouts that direct rain water directly in to the storm sewer can add a significant amount of water into the sewer that could contribute to basement back ups and sewer overflows. Please review the information in the link below for more details.