Rain Program

What is It?

The RAIN program is no longer active. RAIN was a joint program of Green Communities Canada and its members. RAIN motivated action to reduce non-point source pollution entering Ontario’s lakes and rivers via storm sewers. REAL is offered presentations, workshops, displays and programs to show people how to be part of the solution. But you can take action right now to reduce pollution from stormwater.

REAL was able to suggest and introduce storm water management features when the Drummond North Elmsley Public Docks were installed in 2014 at Rideau Ferry. Through RAIN, two components were incorporated to keep storm water from flushing directly in to the Big Rideau Lake: a river rock swale and a catchment system under the deck. Native species were planted there as well.

Residents can help by learning how to Slow it Down,
Soak it Up and Keep it Clean.

Click below to link to more information from Green Communities Canada:	Things You Can Do at Home
	disconnect your downspout from the storm sewer install a rainbarrel at each downspout, and empty it before the next rain enhance the urban forest conserve water
	increase areas where rain can soak into the ground plant native trees and bushes build a rain garden
	pick up dog waste use a dog waste digester wash your car at a commercial car wash put your driveway on a salt free (toxin free) diet spread only natural fertilizers. Apply only during dry weather. butt cigarettes out properly and put them in the garbage use natural cleaning and personal products

For more information on these actions, consult the RAIN website.

To read more about how the RAIN program came about, see REAL’s April 2012 newsletter.

REAL’s RAIN Activities

Rainwater Garden Workshop, April 28, 2012. Participants helped build and plant a demonstration rainwater garden with Landscape Architect Chris Canning.	Dog Owner Workshop, April 14, 2012. Participants learned how to prevent poo-lution with a dog waste digester, and how to protect your their dogs from road salt.Read news release.
Put Your Driveway on a Low Salt DietWorkshop, March 24, 2012. Residents learned how to keep themselves safe from icy surfaces but limit their use of salt.	Tree planting workshop, September 24th, 2011. Session covered the benefits of urban trees, importance of native trees, how to plant and transplant.
Yellow Fish Project, August 23, 2011. Canada World Youth and Smiths Falls and District Club for Youth painted yellow fish by sewer entrances on Merrick St., and put yellow fish door hangers on residents’ front doors to remind them what not to allow to go into drains.	Prevent Poo-lution workshop, August 13, 2011. A make your own dog waste digester attracted many requests for instructions, including 250 copies of the instructions for the Town of Smiths Falls.