SEATTLE (AP) — A campaign is underway to install 12,000 rain gardens in Puget Sound to curb stormwater pollution and protect waterways.
The nonprofit Stewardship Partners and Washington State University Extension announced the effort Tuesday.
Rain gardens are landscape features designed to capture and filter polluted stormwater runoff from rooftops and driveways. Campaign officials say these 12,000 rain gardens will soak up about 160 million gallons of polluted runoff each year.
The campaign will offer homeowners, city and county agencies and businesses free workshops and tours on rain gardens.
Stormwater runoff is a leading source of water pollution in Washington state. When rain falls on roofs, parking lots and driveways, it washes oil, grease, dirt, heavy metals and other pollutants into rivers, lakes and bays.
