Posters, Maps & Illustrations: INNOVATIVE STORMWATER PROGRAMS
The City of Bellingham’s Residential Stormwater Retrofit Program has a new program aimed at protecting Lake Whatcom from stormwater pollution. By retrofitting homes in the area with rain barrels, the city hopes to “…help detain stormwater flows and slowly release the water from the collection system back into the soil for infiltration.” (Each residence potentially generates about 45,000 gallons of roof rainwater runoff each year.)
“A hose will be attached to each rain barrel leading to a drip hose placed in landscape beds. This will provide infiltration during winter months. Seasonally, the drip hose valve may be turned off to allow rain water storage for irrigation use.”
For the first year of the program, eligible homeowners will receive up to three free 95-gallon rain barrels. The barrels have a unique, space-conserving design, made to fit against the corner of a house. Once installed, the rain barrels can be painted and will become the property of the homeowner.
Although about 1,000 single-family residences could be eligible for a rain barrel retrofit, funding is available to retrofit only about 325 homes. Participation is voluntary, but homeowners must live within the Residential Stormwater Retrofit Project Area and must submit an application form to be eligible. At that point, the home’s suitability for the program must be determined by city staff. Residents must also be willing to participate as a demonstration model.
Benefit to eligible homeowners:
• FREE rain barrels (2-3 per residence)
• FREE installation
• FREE education
The city’s commitment to the project includes:
• Feasibility evaluation
• Project design
• Rain barrels
• Rain barrel installation
• Project inspection
• Data collection and evaluation
The homeowner's obligation to the project:
• Attend a 90-minute workshop
• Provide proof of property ownership
• Sign a liability waiver
• Provide permission for data collection by city staff
• Perform minimal annual maintenance
Go to
Bellingham’s Residential Stormwater Retrofit Program
(external link)
“A hose will be attached to each rain barrel leading to a drip hose placed in landscape beds. This will provide infiltration during winter months. Seasonally, the drip hose valve may be turned off to allow rain water storage for irrigation use.”
For the first year of the program, eligible homeowners will receive up to three free 95-gallon rain barrels. The barrels have a unique, space-conserving design, made to fit against the corner of a house. Once installed, the rain barrels can be painted and will become the property of the homeowner.
Although about 1,000 single-family residences could be eligible for a rain barrel retrofit, funding is available to retrofit only about 325 homes. Participation is voluntary, but homeowners must live within the Residential Stormwater Retrofit Project Area and must submit an application form to be eligible. At that point, the home’s suitability for the program must be determined by city staff. Residents must also be willing to participate as a demonstration model.
Benefit to eligible homeowners:
• FREE rain barrels (2-3 per residence)
• FREE installation
• FREE education
The city’s commitment to the project includes:
• Feasibility evaluation
• Project design
• Rain barrels
• Rain barrel installation
• Project inspection
• Data collection and evaluation
The homeowner's obligation to the project:
• Attend a 90-minute workshop
• Provide proof of property ownership
• Sign a liability waiver
• Provide permission for data collection by city staff
• Perform minimal annual maintenance
Go to
Bellingham’s Residential Stormwater Retrofit Program
(external link)
5th February 2009 · by
