Residential Rain Garden Pilot Program 2022

The City of Brandon is partnering with the Central Assiniboine Watershed District (CAWD) to launch the second year of a three-year Residential Rain Garden Pilot Program. This year the program is seeking up to twelve (12) single family 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 minimal maintenance requirements.

A rain garden can also:

• reduce the amount of water that enters the local storm sewer network
• reduce flooding, mitigate drainage issues, and prevent stream banks from eroding
• restore and recharge our groundwater system replicating the natural hydrological cycle
• attract birds, butterflies, pollinators, and other beneficial insects, such as mosquito-consuming dragonflies
• reduce the number of pollutants that run from urban areas straight into our waterways

“I am extremely happy with the success of the program and interest from applicants received in the inaugural year,” notes City Councillor Barry Cullen. “I look forward to the continued opportunity this partnership has created to assist Brandon residents in integrating green infrastructure into their yards.”

“We are thrilled to build off of the momentum year one provided, and we are excited to launch year two of this pilot program with the City of Brandon,” notes Neil Zalluski, Manager of Central Assiniboine Watershed District. “The City is the largest urban center that is a member of a watershed district. When observing the demand for rain gardens on urban properties, CAWD has decided to expand their program to all our municipal members. 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:

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

Interested residents should apply online at Residential Rain Garden Pilot Program 2022. Once approved, a staff member from CAWD 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 brandon.ca/rain-garden.

(City of Brandon PSA)