Contain the Rain Program opens this spring to incentivize stormwater management
April showers bring May flowers, and they also bring stormwater runoff. This spring, the Contain the Rain Program is back open for cities across Johnson County, supporting stormwater management projects that help combat stormwater runoff.
The program, open for its 13th year, reimburses residents up to 50% of the cost of stormwater management projects like rain barrels and rain gardens. These projects counteract stormwater runoff by collecting rainwater, which you can use to water your lawn or garden.
How to Apply for Your City’s Program
Contain the Rain funding is allocated to cities by Johnson County’s Stormwater Management Program, with promotional support by an environmental nonprofit, Bridging the Gap of Kansas City.
Residents in the following cities, as well as unincorporated Johnson County, are eligible for reimbursement:
- De Soto
- Gardner
- Fairway
- Lake Quivira
- Leawood
- Lenexa
- Merriam
- Mission
- Mission Hills
- Olathe
- Overland Park
- Prairie Village
- Roeland Park
- Shawnee
- Westwood
- Westwood Hills
Please review your city’s criteria for reimbursement to apply for funding. For De Soto, Fairway, Lake Quivira, Mission Woods, Roeland Park, Westwood, and Westwood Hills, please visit containtherainjoco.com for information and to apply.
Eligible Stormwater Management Projects
Rain Barrel
During rainstorms, stormwater runoff can collect pollutants, such as fertilizers, pesticides, household hazardous wastes and trash, and carry it into lakes and streams. That’s why stormwater management projects are vital to protecting the environment.
The following projects are eligible through the Contain the Rain program:
- Rain barrels
- Rain gardens
- Cisterns
- Floating wetlands
- Impervious pavement
- Native plant swales
- Native trees
Projects like rain gardens not only benefit the environment by preventing pollution, but they also help support our local pollinator species, make our lawns more resilient and help reduce unnecessary water usage.
Rain Barrel and Rain Garden Workshops
Rain Garden
Need help as you plan your project? Johnson County is partnering with the Geoscience Academy through Olathe Public Schools for a series of workshops on rain barrels and rain gardens this spring.
Sign up for one of the following workshops, which will take place at Olathe North High School, 600 E Prairie St., Olathe, KS:
- Rain Barrel Workshops: Saturday, April 22 (participants will take home a free rain barrel)
- Rain Garden Workshop: Thursday, May 4 (participants can register to win a free rain garden kit)
Learn more about the Contain the Rain Program at containtherainjoco.com.
Learn more about the county’s Stormwater Management Program and how you can help protect water quality at jocogov.org/waterquality.