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King County Washington home

Be RainWise

RainWise rebates cover most or all of the cost of installing cisterns and rain gardens on private properties in eligible combined sewer overflow basins.

2027 King County RainWise Outreach Grant Program

Apply for a 2027 RainWise Outreach Grant

Is your organization ready to make a difference in Seattle's water quality?

We’re looking for partners who can:

  • Connect owners of eligible properties to the RainWise program
  • Inspire local contractors to become RainWise-trained experts
  • Educate community members about Seattle’s combined sewer system, combined sewer overflows, and the importance of protecting our waterways.

If this sounds like your mission, you may be an excellent fit for a RainWise Outreach Grant. Discover how your organization can get involved and help build a cleaner, healthier Seattle.

Learn more about the RainWise Outreach Grant

RainWise

Private property owners can be part of the stormwater pollution solution

RainWise cisterns and rain gardens protect Seattle’s waterways by keeping stormwater out of the sewer system. When too much stormwater enters the sewer, polluted water can overflow into Puget Sound, the Duwamish River, and other lakes and bays.

RainWise is a partnership program of King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). RainWise rebates cover up to 100% of the cost of building rain gardens and cisterns on eligible properties in Seattle. It’s an affordable way to add attractive landscaping to your yard, collect water, and protect the environment.

How to become RainWise

RainWise rebates cover most or all of the cost of installing cisterns and rain gardens on private properties in eligible combined sewer overflow basins. The average rebate is approximately $4,740.

  1. Check your eligibility

    Visit seattlerainwise.org to enter your address in our eligibility map. If your property is in a RainWise area, you will be prompted to submit a RainWise Eligibility Form to determine if your property's stormwater contributes to the combined sewer system.

  2. Connect with a contractor

    Explore rain garden or cistern designs for your property with a RainWise-trained contractor and hire your preferred contractor. Even though your property is eligible for a RainWIse rebate, a RainWise rain garden or cistern might not work on your property.

  3. Build your projects

    Build your project. Your contractor will work with you through the pre-inspection, construction, and post-inspection process.

  4. Rebate application

    Complete your rebate application provided to you by your contractor. Your rebate check will be sent within 4-8 weeks after your rebate paperwork is submitted.

  5. Care for your RainWise project

    Care for your RainWise project. Rain gardens and cisterns need regular care to work well! To keep them functioning and looking good, make sure to keep up with basic maintenance.

RainWise & You

Watch this video to learn about how you can become part of making Seattle’s waterways cleaner through RainWise.

Not eligible for RainWise?

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Mini Grants are available in the King County Wastewater Treatment Division service area.

If you are located in unincorporated King County, the RainScapes program is available to incorporate GSI projects at residential and commercial properties.

Here are some other resources: GSI Western WA Resources.

Additional information

Check out our library of webinars and resources.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Progress Report

Interested in getting a glimpse of participating in Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Read our most recent GSI progress report to learn about combined sewer overflow reductions, water quality benefits, retrofitting older developments, and workforce development happening from RainWise and other programs across King County. 

Clean Water Stories Blog

Visit our blog, Clean Water Stories, for RainWise articles.