As part of our stormwater management initiative, PRC and our partners, Eastern Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative and Haverford Township’s Hav-A-Rain Garden Program, completed 3 new rain garden installations this spring. Rain gardens are an excellent way to manage stormwater runoff and improve water quality. Two of the rain gardens were built at homes in Haverford Township and the third was constructed at the Darby Friends Meeting House in Darby, PA. We are very thankful for all the volunteers that participated in the socially distanced construction of these gardens.
Rain gardens are shallow, planted depressions that collect runoff from impervious surfaces and allow it to infiltrate into the soil. Rain gardens are planted with deep rooted native plants and can absorb 30% more water than a traditional lawn. By capturing and absorbing runoff from yards, roofs, and paved surfaces, rain gardens reduce the amount of water entering storm drains during rainstorms, which help improve water quality. Rain gardens can filter many common pollutants in stormwater runoff and provide habitat for many birds, butterflies and beneficial insects.
To date, 50 rain gardens have been installed through PRC’s stormwater management initiatives.
For more information about PRC’s stormwater initiatives, email Diana Andrejczak at andrejczak@prc.org