Oakland County touts successful first year of program to help residents install rain barrels, gardens, trees

(Image: Water Resources, Oakland County)

• • 
    Oakland County’s RainSmart Rebates program led to the installation of 159 rain barrels, 98 native trees, and 49 rain gardens in its first year.
    
  • 
    The program provides grants and rebates for residents who add green stormwater infrastructure to their yards.
    
  • 
    This year’s applications open March 1.
    

• 
  Oakland County’s RainSmart Rebates program led to the installation of 159 rain barrels, 98 native trees, and 49 rain gardens in its first year.
  
• 
  The program provides grants and rebates for residents who add green stormwater infrastructure to their yards.
  
• 
  This year’s applications open March 1.
  

FOX 2: Oakland County, MichiganAccording to the Water Resources Commissioner, a pilot program that aims to assist locals in managing stormwater by putting up rain barrels, rain gardens, and other green stormwater infrastructure has recently finished its first year and is off to a good start.

Residents who install native trees, barrels, and rain gardens in their yards can receive grants and refunds through the RainSmart refunds program. By catching water before it reaches storm drains, these precautions help prevent precipitation from entering the sewer system.

Commissioner Jim Nash declared, “I’m thrilled by the success we’ve seen in our first year,” “We’re regulating stormwater runoff, preserving water quality, and improving our communities for years to come by giving locals the power to take action. Both the ecosystem and our municipalities benefit from this program.

RainSmart Rebates first year

The National Association of Counties presented the program with a 2024 Achievement Award.

Based on the figures:

According to the county, $60,000 in refunds were given out in the first year for the installation of green infrastructure, with participants receiving an average of $500 apiece. Grants totaling $16,000 were also given out.

Installed rain barrels: 159

98 native trees were planted.

Installed rain gardens: 49

The county estimates that these initiatives will handle 605,000 gallons of stormwater per year.

(Image: Water Resources, Oakland County)

How to use the program

Next steps:

On March 1, applications will be accepted for the second year of the RainSmart Rebate.

“We re excited to take everything we ve learned in the first year and make the program even better in 2025,” Nash stated. “RainSmart Rebates demonstrates how small, local actions can have a big impact.”

What you are able to do:

Program participants can first check their eligibility. The program is targeted at communities in the George W. Kuhn Drain Drainage District, which includes Berkley, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Clawson, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, Southfield, and Troy.

Following a site assessment, applicants will talk about their choices for managing stormwater on their land. After confirmation, residents can start putting their trees, barrels, and gardens in place.

The Source: Information for this story was obtained from Oakland County Water Resources.