RainSmart Rebates is two-year residential pilot program geared towards homeowners in the George W. Kuhn Drain Drainage District.

The pilot offers homeowners up to $2,000 for implementing sustainable stormwater practices such as tree planting, rain barrel installation, or creating a rain garden on their property. The primary goals of the program include fostering awareness about stormwater management and promoting environmental stewardship.

Applicants will follow a step-by-step process to implement an approved project to be eligible for the one-time rebate. To see if you are eligible, visit the Eligibility Tool.

Begin your journey installing resident green infrastructure and apply to participate in the RainSmart Rebates program with Oakland County Water Resources here.

RECIEVE A REBATE FROM OAKLAND COUNTY WATER RESOURCES FOR DOING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ON YOUR PROPERTY:

  • IMPLEMENTING A RAIN GARDEN

  • INSTALLING A RAIN BARREL

  • PLANTING A TREE

PARTICIPATION PROCESS

1.

APPLICATION
Apply HERE & get approval from Oakland County WRC to participate in the program.

2.

ASSESSMENT
Schedule a site visit with the Clinton River Watershed Council ($25 non-refundable fee).

3.

CONFIRMATION
After the assessment, you will receive a report via email detailing what was discussed during the visit and confirmation to proceed.

4.

INSTALLATION
After you receive approval from Oakland County WRC, install your rain garden, rain barrel, or tree.

5.

REBATE
Submit proof of installation and apply for your rebate with Oakland County WRC.

6.

MAINTENANCE
Continue to maintain your rain garden, rain barrel, or tree.

SCHEDULING A SITE VISIT

After your application is submitted, you will get an email from Oakland County Water Resources informing you of your application status. If your application is accepted, you will receive a link to place a hold for your site visit for a $25 non-refundable fee. The Clinton River Watershed Council will reach out to you directly to schedule the visit.

Site visits are an important step in the RainSmart Rebates program. During a site visit, a trained team member from the Clinton River Watershed Council will visit your property to collect data for a Site-Visit Assessment, which will help you learn about the characteristics of your property and help you make an informed decision about whether a rain garden, rain barrel, or tree would be most beneficial.

CRWC team members are experts in residential green infrastructure. The site visit is an excellent opportunity to ask questions.

SITE VISIT AVAILABILITY

Beginning in March, the first site visit dates will be released. Site visit dates are released 2-weeks at a time. Additional site visit availability will be updated on the first and third Mondays of the month.

RAINSMART REBATES EQUITY GRANT

Assistance is available to those who cannot afford the upfront costs or the physical demand of installing a rain garden, rain barrel, or tree. The equity grant is open to anyone in the district who self-identifies a need for assistance. To apply for the Equity Grant, a homeowner will need to indicate their need for additional assistance on the RainSmart Rebates Application Form by simply checking a box for the equity grant.

FINDING MATERIALS FOR YOUR PROJECT

The RainSmart Rebates program gives residents the freedom to use their preferred source for rain barrel kits, trees, and native plants.

Native Plants and rain barrel kits will be available to order from the Clinton River Watershed Council in early 2024.

QUESTIONS

If you have questions for the Clinton River Watershed Council regarding the RainSmart Rebates program, please contact us at rainsmart@crwc.org or (248) 601-0606.