RAINWISE

Rebates for Rain Gardens and Cisterns

RainWise is a rebate program that helps property owners manage stormwater by installing cisterns and/or rain gardens on private property. This prevents flooding, adds attractive landscaping, and can provide water for summer irrigation. To receive a rebate, you must live in an eligible combined sewer overflow (CSO) basin.

Am I eligible?

Check to see whether your property is eligible for a RainWise rebate for a cistern, a rain garden or both. 

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Find a Contractor

RainWise-trained contractors are ready to work in your neighborhood. Finding a RainWise contractor you want to hire is how to make your RainWise project happen.

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Events

Learn about the program and meet neighbors, contractors and other experts. All RainWise events are currently being held virtually.

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The Rebate Process

The RainWise Program provides rebates that cover most or all of the cost of installing cisterns and/or rain gardens on your property. To receive a rebate, you must be in an eligible combined sewer overflow basin and work with a RainWise-trained contractor. The rebate can be up to $4.00 per square foot of rooftop runoff controlled. Talk with a contractor about what you can do on your property and ways to maximize the rebate. The average home rebate is about $4,300.

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Cisterns & Rain Gardens

During big storms, polluted runoff can cause sewer overflows and erode hillsides and stream banks. Rain gardens and cisterns can help control this problem.

 

Cisterns

A cistern is a large above-ground tank, like a giant rain barrel, used to collect roof water. RainWise cisterns slowly release collected water back into the storm sewer to help reduce combined sewer overflows.

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Rain Gardens

A rain garden is a shallow depression containing spongy soil and a variety of plants. Rain gardens collect water from your roof downspout and allow it to safely soak into the ground.

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Looking for more information about RainWise?

Visit our Tools & Resources section for informational brochures, webinars, grant information and much more!

Tools & Resources
RainWise
Majken and Mike, RainWise Homeowner

Majken and Mike installed two 205-gallon cisterns with 1,463 square feet of roof runoff captured.

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Big Roofs
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

St. Luke's Church in Ballard becomes RainWise with six cisterns and one rain garden!

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RainWise
George and Elizabeth, RainWise Homeowner

George and Elizabeth installed six rain gardens and two cisterns with 3,686 square feet of roof runoff captured.

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Big Roofs
Congregation Beth Shalom

Congregation Beth Shalom installed six cisterns and a rain garden to become RainWise!

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Encouraging Community Partnerships
Co Lam Pagoda Temple

Working with ECOSS, Co Lam installed five cisterns to store rainwater for watering and reduce flooding.

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Big Roofs: Beyond Residential

We encourage community centers, religious organizations, apartment buildings, businesses and other large buildings to participate in the RainWise program. The bigger the roof, the bigger the rebate to keep Puget Sound and its surrounding waterways clean.

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Maintenance

On-going maintenance is essential to keep your RainWise installation working properly. We are counting on your RainWise project to prevent polluted stormwater from going into our waterways. RainWise requires homeowners to maintain their RainWise project for five years.

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Questions?

Not sure where to find arborists’ wood chips for fresh mulch? Need help with rain garden plants and weeds? Wondering how often or how long to water your new rain garden? Contact the Garden Hotline at 206-633-0224 or help@gardenhotline.org

Multi-lingual service provided.

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