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Rain to Roots

WHAT IS RAIN TO ROOTS?

The Rain to Roots program is a suite of services that aims to promote education and resources surrounding stormwater runoff impacts and nature-based solutions. The program is available to watershed residents to increase the capacity for green stormwater infrastructure opportunities on their property. CRWC provides FREE site consultation services and rain garden design and installation at cost. 

REQUEST A CONSULTATION

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

In the Clinton River watershed, managing stormwater runoff is the biggest challenge facing the health of the river and Lake St. Clair. More than 55% of our watershed is covered in impervious surfaces like roads, parking lots, roofs, driveways, and other developments. As rain events become more frequent and intense, stormwater runs off of these impervious surfaces directly into the storm drain and eventually into the Clinton River, bringing with it pollutants such as fertilizer, pesticides, heavy metals, salt, and more. Much of the watershed’s land is privately owned, meaning our freshwater relies on individual stewardship now more than ever.  

RAIN TO ROOTS SERVICES

Staff from CRWC will visit your property and provide consultation about stormwater issues as well as how to capture stormwater for the health of our waterways. Thanks to support from the DTE Energy Foundation, CRWC is able to provide these services at a discount.

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A lush garden with various green plants and bushes, bordered by rocks and a small sign. In the background, there are residential houses with different siding materials, a wooden utility pole on the left, and trees providing shade. The sky is clear and the lighting suggests a sunny day.

Stormwater Consultations

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At your stormwater consultation, the CRWC Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) team will help you evaluate your property and discuss viable options for GSI infrastructure for your home. Our team will answer any questions that you may have and provide you with helpful resources. We specialize in rain barrels, rain gardens, trees, and native plant gardens. 

This service is great for homeowners that:  

  • Want to manage stormwater and flooding on their property, but don’t know where to start 

  • Hope to turn their property into a practical tool for environmental protection 

  • Are interested for green landscaping solutions

Potential topics include: 

  • How to capture stormwater on your property to reduce pooling water.  

  • The best location, size and plants for a rain garden on your property.   

  • Which native plants are recommended if a rain garden is not suitable or advisable for the location.  

  • How to install a rain barrel, the materials you’ll need, and the required maintenance.  

  • How native trees can help with stormwater capture and best planting practices. 

After the consultation, our team will provide you with our notes, resources for project installation and recommended contractors. 

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Rain Barrel Installations

A red rain barrel placed on a cinder block next to the exterior of a house with blue siding and a window. The barrel is connected to a white downspout drain pipe. Background includes green trees and a grassy yard.

Scheduling for this service begins August 2026. During a rain barrel installation, we determine the best location for your barrel, provide all materials, and complete the installation. Rain barrels are perfect for those who use water outdoors for activities such as watering gardens and lawns, rinsing tools, and washing cars. Using rain barrel water for these tasks can lead to substantial savings on water bills, especially during peak usage periods.

This service is great for homeowners that:  

  • Do not want to, or are unable to, install a rain barrel

  • Prefer not to source rain barrel materials 

  • Want to ensure the rain barrel is installed properly and in a suitable location 

  • Need a quick and stress-free installation

Installation materials include:

  • One 55-gallon recycled food grade drum rain barrel

  • Diverter 

  • Cinder block stand

  • Educational materials

Homeowners can choose a black or terra cotta rain barrel.

Following the installation, CRWC staff will provide a maintenance document. For more information on rain barrels, visit crwc.org/rain-barrels.

RAIN TO ROOTS PRICING

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Stormwater Consultation Stormwater Consultation
Sale
Stormwater Consultation
$0.00 $200.00

Includes labor and materials. 100% discount provided courtesy of a grant from DTE.

Two red rain barrels connected to a drainage system on a brick house exterior. The setup includes a gutter, downspout, and piping for water collection.
Rain Barrel Installation
$350.00

Includes materials and labor. This service is not included in the DTE grant.

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Rain Garden Design
$200.00 $400.00

Includes labor. 50% discount is provided courtesy of a grant from DTE. *A stormwater consultation is required before the design and/ or installation of a rain garden

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Rain Garden Design and Installation
$750.00 $3,000.00

Includes labor and materials. 75% discount provided courtesy of a grant from DTE. *A stormwater consultation is required before the design and/ or installation of a rain garden

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION OR INSTALLATION

Rain to Roots consultations and installations are now available!

REQUEST A CONSULTATION

PILOT COMMUNITIES

CRWC is starting the initial launch of the Rain to Roots program in Center Line, Sterling Heights and Warren. These communities were selected as a result of the First National Flood Risk Assessment. This flood model identified these communities as having the greatest number of properties at risk.  

These communities are part of the Red Run subwatershed, which is the most densely populated region of our watershed. The Red Run faces unique challenges in dealing with stormwater runoff due to the prevalence of impervious surfaces. 

If you are outside of the Center Line, Sterling Heights and Warren communities, but are within the Clinton River Watershed and have an interest in any of these programs and services, please fill out this survey.  

Rain to Roots is just one of the many programs at CRWC that focuses on green stormwater infrastructure. Check out some of our other programs here.

  • PLAN A RAIN GARDEN

  • Outdoor garden scene with a large green rain barrel, a black watering can, and a small decorative stone structure, with a brick wall, wooden fence, and green foliage in the background.

    INSTALL A RAIN BARREL

    LEARN MORE

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    PLANT A TREE