Using Rain Gardens to Keep Waterways Pollution-Free

During a downpour, water gushes out of downspouts, across lawns treated with pesticides and fertilizers, into an oily street, and, finally, down a storm drain that dumps that pollution along with the water into a stream, river, or bay. By building a rain garden, you can divert your gutter water into an attractive planting bed that works like a sponge and natural filter to clean the water and let it percolate slowly into the surrounding soil.

Keep reading to see how a neighborhood building project beautified the streetscape of a neighborhood, while keeping pollutants out of local waterways. We'll even share their plant suggestions, plans, and pointers—so get your notepad out.