May 07, 2010 ../pictures/thumbnails/00544-RainBarrel-2009Fair-tn.jpg The Greater Elkhart County Stormwater Partnership offers financial and technical assistance to homeowners who want to install rain gardens and rain barrels. Find out more here.

Homeowners and Stormwater - Further Reading

Rain Garden and Rain Barrel Incentive Program

Rain Barrel

A new program in 2010 is helping homeowners install rain gardens and rain barrels in most of Elkhart County. For homeowners who qualify, the program can reimburse up to $250 for rain garden plants and up to $50 per rain barrel (maximum two rain barrels per parcel). Funds are no longer available for 2010, but we encourage residents to apply so they will be put on a waiting list in case funds become available in the future.

This incentive program will be funded for one year, with the possibility of continuing into future years. The program comes as a result of stakeholder input into the Greater Elkhart County Stormwater Partnership's stormwater fee. Stakeholder meetings held in 2009 found interest in providing incentives for homeowners rather than a credit or fee reduction for putting in these practices.

The program is open to anyone in Elkhart, Goshen, Bristol, or unincorporated areas of Elkhart County. These are the areas where residents pay a stormwater fee to fund the Partnership's programs.

To take advantage of the program, the first step is to apply. The application is available at the Elkhart County SWCD office or at the links below. Approval will be given on a first-come, first-served basis while funds last.

EEC Rain Garden

In order to qualify for reimbursement, applicants must also attend a workshop on the practice they wish to install.

Rain barrel applicants who have been pre-approved and attended the workshop should submit receipts and a photo of the installed practice for reimbursement.

Those wishing to install rain gardens have an extra step - a Partnership staff member must visit their site and approve their rain garden plans before they move ahead with installation. All funded practices must be maintained for five years.

Rain gardens and rain barrels have received a lot of attention recently, and we hope that this new program will help them become even more widespread in Elkhart County.

Application Forms and Brochure

Incentive Program Brochure: Find more information about the incentive program.

Rain Garden Application Form: Complete and submit this form if you are interested in installing rain gardens at your home.

Rain Barrel Application Form: Complete and submit this form if you are interested in installing rain barrels at your home.