RAINWISE PROGRAM & PROJECTS
ABOUT THE rainwise program
The RainWise program is a joint effort by SPU and King County to help private property owners install rain gardens and cisterns, helping to manage the rain that falls on their roofs. These installations add attractive landscaping, provide water for summer irrigation, and reduce flooding during peak storm events. Check out 700milliongallons.org to find out if your property qualifies for rebates.
Vireo Design Studio has been a trained and authorized RainWise contractor since the program began in 2010. Contact us to learn about how you can become part of making Seattle’s waterways cleaner!
RAINWISE rain garden PROJECTS
Our rain gardens have transformed many empty and unfinished landscapes into functional habitats and eye-catching gardens. A rain garden is simply a shallow depression in the landscape containing porous soil and a variety of plants. Rainwater from your roof downspout is directed into the rain garden where it can slowly soak into the ground, mimicking pre-industrial site conditions.
rainwise cistern projects
A stormwater cistern is a large above ground container that captures rain from a roof downspout, then slowly releases it through a low flow valve to your side sewer drain or public right-of-way. The low flow valve lets water trickle out to make room for rain from the next storm. In the late spring, this valve can be closed if you want to use the captured rain for summer watering.