CRWC’s RainSmart Program Achieves Regional Impact
On April 1, Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC) Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) technicians officially launched their 2025 field season with a clear mission: reduce flooding and mitigate stormwater impacts across the residential George W. Kuhn (GWK) Drainage District. The GWK, located in Madison Heights, was built in 1960 to store and treat stormwater overflows before they are discharged into local waterways.
Throughout April, May and June, technicians conducted 310 site assessments, meeting with homeowners to share practical, impactful strategies to reduce flood risks and lessen the burden on local combined sewer systems (CSS).
In a CSS, stormwater and wastewater flow through the same pipes toward treatment facilities. But during heavy rain events, this system can become overwhelmed, triggering partially-treated overflows to be discharged into nearby waterways. In our region, that means contaminated water would ultimately reach Lake St. Clair, then Lake Erie.
CRWC and Oakland County’s RainSmart program tackles this challenge at its roots–literally and locally. Homeowners across 14 communities have used RainSmart to implement GSI solutions tailored to their properties. The pilot program, available in 2024 and 2025, offered homeowners up to $2,000 to implement sustainable stormwater practices including:
Rain barrels–collect and reuse rainwater.
Rain gardens–absorb and filter runoff.
Trees–reduce stormwater volume and improve infiltration.
In many cases, homeowners embraced a combination, or all three of the solutions, transforming their yards into functional tools for environmental protection.
One 2024 RainSmart participant shared how transformative the experience has been for her property and peace of mind:
“I have lived in my house for almost 19 years, and after the rain garden was installed, this was the first time I had no rain in my basement. This summer has been very wet, and I can say that this garden is having a very positive impact on my home.”
For this homeowner, RainSmart didn’t just provide a new landscape feature; it delivered real, lasting relief from a decades-long flooding issue. Her story is one of many that demonstrates how localized GSI solutions can have powerful personal and regional impacts.
2024 RainSmart impact breakdown:
About 605,000 gallons of stormwater were captured.
$67,300 rebates were issued, with an average rebate of $500 per participant.
$16,000 in grants were awarded.
159 rain barrels were installed.
98 native trees were planted.
49 rain gardens were installed.
Here are simple steps you can take to make a difference:
Install a rain barrel, rain garden, or tree.
Plant native vegetation.
Direct downspouts away from driveways and sidewalks.
Limit impervious surfaces.
Maintain your gutters and yard drains.
Every action, no matter how small, contributes to a healthier watershed. Visit these webpages for more information on rain barrels, stormwater, and native plants.