Howard County sponsors many outreach initiatives that promote stormwater management:
Easy, Affordable Awareness Projects
Looking for some easy, low-cost ways to become part of the solution? Join over 230 users of our free stream monitoring app, the Stream Mapper, to help us keep track of Howard County’s streams’ health. Want a hands-on project? Try painting some storm drains to remind our community that only rain—not trash or leftover household supplies--belongs in our storm drains. Over 240 drains have been painted in our community!
Youth Programs
Since 2012, the READY (Restoring the Environment and Developing Youth) summer jobs youth conservation corps built over 100 rain gardens that manage over 10 acres of impervious area. Learn more and watch an amazing short video about their work.
Rain Garden Assistance
Howard County has created a list of materials (and local stores that sell them) to help you with your next stormwater project. If you would prefer to hire a contractor click here. If you need help with rain garden maintenance, check out materials from an event we recently held in partnership with the Office on Aging and the University of Maryland Extension. The County also installed 30 residential rain gardens in the Red Hill Branch subwatershed.
Rain Barrel Distribution
Since 2010, 920+ free, pre-drilled barrels (to be made into rain barrels) have been distributed to residents at demonstrations and the annual GreenFest. Residents can purchase rain barrel parts at a reduced price at a local hardware store, in partnership with the County.
7 Things You Can Do To Improve Water Quality
Check out this blog to find simple ways to become part of the water pollution solution!