Raleigh stormwater program aims to improve water quality

The city of Raleigh is working to improve the water quality of local waterways with a unique stormwater capture program.

Some homeowners throughout Raleigh are making rainwater work for them. It includes homeowner Susan Parry installed a rain garden on her property. Parry has hollys, a Virginia bluebell and ferns.

"It's close to being full now because of that huge dumper we just had," Parry said.

Parry's rain garden was installed a year and a half ago. She took advantage of the Raleigh Rain Water Rewards Program.

"[The] Rainwater Rewards Program is a program that encourages private property owners to install water quality storm water device son their property to improve over all water quality in the community and in our creeks and rivers," Parry said.

Parry lives in the Pigeon House Branch Watershed.

"Pigeon House Branch is really one of our most impaired polluted and impaired waterways in Raleigh," Parr ysaid.

Storm Water from Parry's roof is directed to the garden, and that helps improve the water quality at the Pigeon House Branch Creek.

The city reimbursed Parry for 90% of the cost to install her rain garden. She has to maintain it and submit yearly reports. She says installing the rain garden was a no brainer.

"I care a lot about the environment, and we're really worried about and interested in climate change and this is obviously one of those small ways an individual can play some part," Parry said. "I'm trying to have a positive impact on some part of that."