Embrace Nature's Gift of Rain

With signs pointing toward an El Niño year for California, there might be a welcome boost in local water supply. To make the most of this cost-free water source, consider incorporating a rain garden on your property. A rain garden is a landscaped area strategically designed to capture and manage stormwater runoff from roofs, driveways, and other impermeable surfaces. Unlike traditional gardens, rain gardens are specifically constructed to allow rainwater to be absorbed into the ground, preventing it from becoming runoff that could contribute to soil erosion and water pollution, all while saving on irrigation. The soil beneath your garden acts like a giant sponge, storing water for your plants and reducing the amount you'll need to run your sprinklers or drip irrigation come spring and summer.

Rain that falls on your home and yard, when captured, is a free and local supply of water that can save you money and help stretch CCWD's limited water supply. And you can capture thousands of gallons over an average winter. Contra Costa County averages approximately 20 inches of rain per year. So, a 1,000 sq. ft. roof will capture roughly 12,400 gallons per year in your rain garden. Learn more about rain gardens and rainwater harvesting.

Example of a residential rain garden. Photo credit: Urban Water Group