Stone Soup Gardens is a trained contractor for the Seattle Public Utilities RainWise Residential Rebate Program. 

We have lots of experience working with the program and can help you determine if you're eligible. 
​Contact us today to inquire about installing a rain garden or water catchment system on your property!
Scroll down to learn more. 

What is a rain garden? 

A rain garden is a wonderful way to protect our streams, lakes, the Duwamish River, and the Puget Sound from toxins in our collective stormwater runoff from roads, rooftops and parking lots. Using native and drought-tolerant plants, rain gardens retain and filter this runoff. Rain gardens are a beautiful and sustainable feature to your yard, and can be the perfect habitat for edibles like blueberries, huckleberries, elderberries, and more! Visit our portfolio to see more examples of Stone Soup's rain gardens. 

What is a cistern? 

A cistern is a large above-ground container used to collect water from your roof. Essentially a huge rain barrel, cisterns can store hundreds of gallons of water. During the stormy season, cisterns collect rain from rooftops and reduce the amount of water entering into the sewer system. Then, when summer rolls around, this water can be used for watering gardens and can even be used to irrigate your yard. As seen in our photos below, cisterns come in many shapes, sizes and designs and can be utilized in a variety of different situations. Visit our portfolio to see more examples of cisterns Stone Soup has installed. 

Why will the city pay me to install a rain garden or cistern? 

The development of Seattle's stormwater infrastructure has not kept pace with the city's rapid growth. During storms, excessive rainwater can cause sewage overflows into local waterways. Homeowner rebates for rain garden and cistern installations are one way Seattle Public Utilities is managing this overflow. 
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If you live in one of the qualifying neighborhoods (map on the right), you may be eligible for rebates up to $4.00 per square foot of roof area redirected to your new rain garden or cistern! For example, 1,000 sq ft redirected means a $4,000 rebate. 

How can I participate in the RainWise rebate program? 

Step 1: Contact us at Stone Soup Gardens 
We'll have a preliminary discussion to determine if your property is right for a rain garden or cistern. We will help you navigate the RainWise rebate process step-by-step. 

Step 2: Edible Rain Garden Consultation 
This full-service garden consultation will explore the rain garden and cistern options available to you, and will help you envision other edible and sustainable garden features we can include in the project. 

Step 3: Infiltration Test
This determines the appropriate area in your yard for a rain garden (rain garden only - not needed for cistern installations). 

Step 4: Design
Stone Soup Gardens will craft a unique design that includes the best features to meet your needs. 

Step 5: Pre-inspection with RainWise 
A ​RainWise inspector will sign off on Stone Soup Garden's quality design work at your home so that installation can move forward.

Step 6: Installation  
Our team at Stone Soup Gardens will install your new rain garden, cistern, and/or any other sustainable landscape features you desire.

Step 7: Post-Inspection with RainWise
This approval process paves the way for you to receive your rebate. 

Step 8: Rebate!
Stone Soup Gardens will help you process your rebate application for you to receive up to $4.00 per square foot of redirected roof area.


For more information, visit the RainWise website, take a look at our portfolio, or attend an upcoming Introduction to Rain Gardens class. 

Information on cistern maintenance 
Information on seasonally caring for your rain garden
Find more information on how to maintain your RainWise installation on the RainWise website.