Contractor Newsletter Archive
The RainWise Program emails its “Contractor News and Tips” newsletter to RainWise contractors. The purpose of this newsletter is to provide contractors with important program updates and events. If you are a RainWise contractor and you are not receiving the newsletter by email, please contact us at rainwise@seattle.gov to let us know. Please also let us know if you change your email. We want to make sure we are sending the newsletter to the right place!
2025
March 2025 – 2024 in review, new basin openings, rebate calculator update, updated rain garden handbook
2023
Fall 2023 – Details on RainWise Access Grants, increase in rebates, fall maintenance reminder, and link to The Green Infrastructure Partnership (GrIP)
Summer 2023 – Highlights changes to rebate rates, eligibility map, and cistern purchase program
April 2023 – Forthcoming changes to rebates and eligibility map; Highlights improvements to rebate and pre-consultation process
January 2023 – 2022 in review infographic; Announces reopening of Barton/Fauntleroy basin, and the first major update to Design Details since 2014.
2022
August 2022 – Updated rebate calculator, new Cistern Purchasing Program, reminder on side sewer permits, and the forthcoming release of updated Design Details
January 2022 – Farewell to Tom Gannon; Ask an Inspector clarifies cistern placement; updated rebate paperwork; and pending updates to cistern purchasing and design details
2021
June 2021 – Challenges with cistern supply and ongoing efforts to stabilize supply and pricing; Reminder on side sewer permit requirements
2020
December 2020 – Post inspection tips, new cistern supplier, and pending changes to Design Details
April 2020 – COVID19 Edition
January 2020 – 2019 Year in Review and focus on outreach: opportunities to meet new customers, and highlights of RainWise Outreach Teams
2019
October 2019 – Fall maintenance reminder, large roof calculator, removal of the blanket policy disqualifying post-1979 construction
2017
January 2017– Includes 2016 program recap and contracting trainer updates.
March 2017– Addresses tax questions about RainWise rebates, introduces additional maintenance resources, and outlines focus areas for 2017.
May 2017– Includes quarterly report, talks cisterns supply challenges, and covers rebate calculation changes.
2016
January 2016 – Includes a change to the invoice cost breakdown requirement
March 2016 – Includes expansion of the RainWise Access Grant Program and an explanation of the tax status of the RainWise rebate.
May 2016 – Includes RainWise policies for homes for sale.
July 2016 – Includes a clarification of the 3 foot path requirement and the opening of King County’s Montlake/Capitol Hill basin.
September 2016 – Includes a new form to increase customer understanding of rebate requirements, clarification about the eligibility of properties built after 1979, and an update to the rebate package to capture language preferences.
November 2016 – Includes a description of the outreach consultants that work for RainWise and the results from our annual customer survey.
2015
September 2015 – This newsletter includes the answer to the frequently asked question: Is a recently remodeled house eligible for RainWise?
November 2015 – Includes an announcement of the Pilot Access Loan and the timeline for closing King County’s Barton/Fauntleroy basin.