Rainwater Rewards Program

The city may fund all of or a portion of the project cost. Funding percentages are based on specific criteria, including location in the watershed and type of project proposed. Before starting a project, it needs to be approved by the city. Projects started or completed when submitted are not eligible for funding.

Due to funding limitations and to be equitable to residents interested in the program, the Rainwater Rewards program can only provide funding for a single project and rain barrel each year. 

* Funding for rain gardens is in part provided by support from the Clean Water Fund.

In-kind or free services will not be considered for matching contributions. Contracted engineering or consulting fees are eligible for reimbursement.

Reimbursement amount cannot exceed the overall project cost. If the project is under the allowable reimbursement amount, it will be reimbursed at the rate of 75%.

For the DIY program, projects are designed and built by the homeowner with or without help from professional designers and contractors.

Eligible projects

Selecting the right project is important to ensure that it is effective at reducing stormwater runoff and pollutants.

• Rain gardens are depressed landscaped areas that collects rain water from roofs, driveways or streets and allows it to soak into the ground. Learn more about rain gardens.
  
  
• Permeable pavement is paving surfaces that allow stormwater runoff to soak through the surface and into the ground. Learn more about permeable pavement.
  
  
• Green roof is a roof that is partially or completely covered with vegetation, which allows rainwater to be absorbed. Learn more about green roofs.
  
  
• Rain barrels are barrels that capture runoff from roofs and hold it for later use, such as on lawns or gardens.
  • The program will reimburse residents for the purchase of up to three rain barrels at a cost of $50 each rain barrel.
• Other innovative stormwater management practices

Step-by-step process

1. Select your type of project.

Select the type of project that best fits your needs.

2. Create a preliminary design and cost estimate.

Perform a site review to determine the most effective location and design your project. Keep in mind the following items when performing a site review to ensure the project will be effective:

• Soil types and potential infiltration rates. Additional infiltration field testing may be required.
• Drainage area and site characteristics
• Site constraints, such as underground utilities and easements
• Applicable permits for working within the city right of way, utilities, plumbing, electrical or erosion control

If you need assistance with site review and design, Blue Thumb Partners provides a list of local designers and contractors that have experience with storm water management design and construction.

It is recommended that a qualified designer or engineer perform a detailed site review.

Next, you will create a cost estimate.

After the site review and cost estimate are complete, submit the project design and cost estimate with your application.

3. Submit an application

Note: You must include project design and cost estimate, or come back to submit them at a later date.

To ensure the project is effective over time, it must be routinely maintained and the property owner will need to enter into a maintenance agreement with the city.

4. Application review and project approval

City staff will review the application for effectiveness in managing stormwater runoff, feasibility, overall design characteristics and eligibility for funds. During the review process, city staff will inform you if any permits are required to construct your project.

City staff will contact you with the project approval or comments after the application review is complete.

5. Construction

Complete the construction of your rain garden or other stormwater management project.

6. Inspection

The city will inspect the project to ensure it was built according to plan and functions as intended. The homeowner must contact city staff to set up inspection.

7. Funding reimbursement

Upon completion of the inspection and final approval, reimbursement for the project will begin. View the funding table in the funding tab to see how much funding your project will receive. It may take about two weeks to receive the reimbursement check.

Every year, with funding provided by the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment, the city partners with Metro Blooms to help St. Louis Park homeowners manage stormwater by installing rain gardens at a reduced cost!

Homeowners are responsible for paying an upfront $50 consultation cost to Metro Blooms for the rain garden design. The Conservation Corps of Minnesota crews construct the rain gardens in the summer, and homeowners do the finishing touches by installing the plants.

The city's Rainwater Rewards program and the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment funding are subsidizing a large portion of the cost for the rain gardens, making it a great, low-cost opportunity to improve the aesthetics of your property and help manage stormwater!

                   

If you would like to add trees to your property and would like assistance with transporting, siting or planting, learn more about the city's full service tree purchase and planting option. Residents can purchase a discounted tree and coordinate planting with Tree Trust, a local nonprofit. Additional discounts are available for properties in the city’s designated priority planting area and where ash trees were recently removed.

Rain gardens

Rain gardens need routine maintenance. The point where water enters the rain garden must be inspected roughly monthly to ensure that it is not clogged with soil or trash. Vegetation should be inspected roughly every two months to make sure it is healthy and to remove weeds. Trash and excess soil should be removed at this time. Care must be taken to ensure that soils in the rain garden and vegetation are not trampled and compacted. Do not fertilize the vegetation.

• Rain gardens 101

Rain barrels

Remove leaves and other debris from the screen at the top of the barrel, the overflow pipe, and the roof gutters. Regularly use water collected in your rain barrel between rain events to make sure there is room to collect rainwater during the next storm. Drain and turn over your rain barrel in October or November, before freezing conditions.

• Rain barrels in the home landscape

Pervious pavement

Some key actions help ensure the long-term performance of permeable pavement during its operational life. The most frequently cited maintenance problem is surface clogging caused by organic matter and sediment.

• Operation and maintenance of permeable pavement

Green roof

Green roofs provide new habitat for beneficial plants and animals in urban areas, helping to increase biodiversity. Increased biodiversity can help ecosystems continue to function even when they are disturbed by development or in other ways.

• Operation and maintenance of green roofs

• Capturing rainwater and preventing runoff
• Decision tools for stormwater infiltration
• Rainwater rewards maintenance agreement(PDF, 163KB)

How do I apply for the Rainwater Rewards program?

To apply for the program, you must complete the online application.

Rainwater Rewards application

What is the difference between a rain garden lottery and Rainwater Rewards DIY projects?

Rain garden lottery (funded by Clean Water Fund) – Rain gardens are designed and built for homeowners by Metro Blooms and the Conservation Corps of Minnesota. Metro Blooms provides on-site consultation, rain garden design and installation. It is a lottery program that is limited to 30 households a year.

Rainwater Rewards Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects – Are stormwater management projects that are designed and built by the homeowner with or without help from professional designers and contractors. You can select your project from the list of eligible projects, which include rain gardens, rain barrels, permeable pavement, green roofs and more.

Do I need to hire a designer for a rain garden?

No. You can design your rain garden. If you need assistance with site review and design, Blue Thumb Partners provides a list of local designers and contractors.

Are projects that have already been started eligible for funding?

No. To be eligible for reimbursement, the project must be approved prior to construction.

What is the purpose of the Rainwater Rewards program maintenance agreement?

The purpose of the maintenance agreement is to allow access for inspection of the Best Management Practice (BMP) to ensure the proper function of the practice.