![[Water Resources Program]](http://njaes.rutgers.edu/_common/images/subheads/waterresourceprog.gif "[Water Resources Program]"){kind=small}
Rain Garden Rebate Program
Somerville Pilot Project
Rain Garden Rebate Program Off to a Great Start - September 11, 2013
The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program and the New Jersey Water Supply Authority partnered to create a rain garden rebate program for Somerville, New Jersey. The concept was to provide incentives for homeowners to install rain gardens to help reduce flooding and improve the water quality of Peter's Brook, a tributary to the Raritan River. Two educational programs were held at Duke Farms to explain to interested homeowners what rain gardens are, why they are important, how to install them, and how to maintain them. The attendees were then given homework to collect information on their property so we could design a rain garden for their specific need.
Somerville Pilot Program Technical Sessions ~ September 2013
Two weeks after the initial educational programs, 16 homeowners returned to Duke Farms for a personal 20 minute technical session where the RCE team of experts reviewed the data the homeowners had collected and worked with them to determine the best location for their rain garden. The RCE engineers determined how big the garden needed to be, and the RCE landscape architect worked with homeowners to customize a plant palate for each rain garden. In all, 23 rain gardens were designed for 16 properties. The homes that are located in Somerville (14 of the 16 properties) are eligible for a rebate to build gardens that are based upon the designs they were provided. Stay tuned to see how many homeowner actually build their rain garden and how much money in rebates is awarded!
Somerville Pilot Program Technical Sessions ~ September 2013
Somerville Eligibility Map - This program is being initially piloted in Somerville, NJ. The Rain Garden Rebate Program will educate residents in the Somerville area on how they can build beautiful gardens that help keep the rain from the drain.
Rain Garden Rebate Application - Somerville Residents
Photo Album - Somerville Rain Garden Rebate Program
