A rain garden is a planted area that is sunken several inches into the ground in order to retain stormwater flowing off paved areas, slopes, or building roofs. They are beneficial in several ways such as:
-Helping protect streams and lakes from pollutants carried by urban stormwater such as lawn fertilizers and pesticides, oil leaking from cars, and other pollutants that wash off roofs and paved areas
-Helping protect communities from flooding and drainage problems
-Reducing the load on sewage systems and helping to prevent sewage overflows
-Providing valuable habitat for birds, butterflies and many beneficial insects
-Increasing the amount of water that filters into the ground, which recharges local and regional aquifers
