Recycling Rain

The recent episodes of bitter cold rain got me to thinking of ways to re-use this natural resource, which normally sweeps pollutants into our sewer systems or goes to waste in other ways. With people around the world desperate for water, how can we take advantage of our bounty and find ways it can benefit us and the environment?

On a trip to Montreal, I stood outside a science museum and examined a rain garden. The concept was new to me; based on the name, I thought the garden was filled with plants capable of absorbing extra water. Instead, the garden has a concave shape designed to collect excess rain that runs off our buildings along with various debris and enters our oceans.

After doing some online research, I learned the important difference between rain water and stormwater:

Rain is natural; stormwater isn't. Government studies have shown that up to 70% of the pollution in our streams, rivers and lakes is carried there by stormwater. Although most people never think about stormwater, about half of the pollution that stormwater carries comes from things we do in our yards and gardens! (raingardens.org)

A site like Raingardens.org explains the rain garden design and has tips on how to build your own. Though soil types and grading may seem intimidating, even a very basic garden can dramatically limit the amount of stormwater coming from your property.

And what kinds of beautiful plants can thrive in your garden? All native plants, which attract insects that will spread the seed of your plant and will also endure the local seasons. Specialized or foreign species have little chance of survival; plus, the energy required for their transportation to your area simply isn't worth it.

As the rain continues, we may seek refuge in our homes, under our blankets, among cups of tea and stacks of books. But we can also be thankful for the excess water, which allows beautiful plants to thrive and gives us the opportunity to improve the condition of our oceans.