City of Brandon’s Residential Rain Garden Pilot Program

The City of Brandon is excited to announce that we are partnering with the Central Assiniboine Watershed District to launch the Residential Rain Garden Pilot Program. This pilot program is seeking up to ten (10) single dwelling residential properties to install a rain garden in their yard this summer.

A rain garden is a type of green infrastructure landscape that collects stormwater (rain and melted snow) that runs off your grass and impervious surfaces, such as rooftops and driveways.

Rain gardens are designed to have a shallow depression that has deep, loose soil so that it absorbs and naturally filters stormwater. Although water is collected in rain gardens, they are not a breeding habitat for mosquitoes. Rain gardens are aesthetically pleasing with low maintenance requirements.

A rain garden can also:

• reduce the amount of water that enters the local storm water system
• reduce flooding and mitigates drainage issues
• attract birds, butterflies, pollinators, and other beneficial insects

“The success of this program will be a steppingstone to creating a long-term program for Brandon residents,” notes City of Brandon’s Environmental Initiatives Coordinator Lindsay Hargreaves. “It will incorporate green infrastructure into yards to help mitigate storm water runoff.”

“We are excited to work with the City of Brandon on this program,” notes Neil Zalluski, Manager of Central Assiniboine Watershed District. “The City is the largest urban center that is a member of a local watershed district. We are always willing to work with our members and we hope that the program inspires residents to mitigate overland flooding on their property while adding curb appeal.”

Basic eligibility requirements for the program include:

• Applicants must be a resident of Brandon and the rain garden must be installed on a property you own within city limits.
• The rain garden must be in a low-lying location on your property.
• The rain garden must be installed at least three (3) metres away from the foundation of your house.
• You must be able to redirect a downspout from your roof to the rain garden area.
• The proposed rain garden location must be clear of any trees or underground services.

If residents are interested in applying to be a part of the pilot program, they should apply online at Residential Rain Garden Pilot Program. Once approved, a staff member from the Central Assiniboine Watershed District will contact the homeowner to assist with the design and installation of the rain garden.  There is a limited amount of funding available. Eligible applicants will be assessed on a first come, first-served basis.

For more information about the program and eligibility, please visit Residential Rain Garden Pilot Program.