Contain the Rain
Help us "contain the rain!" The Johnson County Stormwater Management Program's Contain the Rain is a cost-share program that encourages Johnson County residents to install sustainable landscape solutions that benefit water quality.
Sustainable landscape solutions like rain gardens and rain barrels help "contain the rain" where it falls, which reduces the amount of stormwater going into storm drains. Water from rain and melting snow that enters storm drains will eventually find its way to our streams, rivers, and lakes, carrying all the pollutants it picked up along the way.
The Contain the Rain program will reimburse applicants up to 50% of eligible expenses, not to exceed a project reimbursement cap, for the proper installation of rain barrels, rain gardens, native trees and native plants.
Types of Projects
Rain Barrels
Rain barrels collect rainwater that would otherwise end up in our local waterways, providing a free supply of water for use on your lawn and garden.
Rain Gardens
Rain gardens are gardens planted in a small depression, located in an area that will capture stormwater runoff from a slope or downspout.
Native Trees
Native trees are effective at combatting stormwater runoff, as these trees can hold large volumes of rainwater on their leaves, branches and trunks.
Native Plants
Native plants are ideal choices for your garden because of their extensive root systems, which are productive at soaking up rainwater and combatting stormwater runoff.
Live plants are the best choice for most suburban sites. However, larger sites (greater than 1/4 acre) may be candidates for seeding.
How the Program Works
Cities participating in Contain the Rain encourage home and business owners to incorporate stormwater management projects on their property.
For most cities, the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program provides the funding to individual cities, which implement their own cost-share programs. De Soto, Fairway, Lake Quivira, Mission Woods, Roeland Park, Westwood, Westwood Hills and Unincorporated Johnson County are all implemented through the county.
The following cities participate in the reimbursement program: