Oakland County, MI
Home MenuTop Searches:
RainSmart Rebates
Join the RainSmart Rebates pilot program and earn rebates for installing green stormwater infrastructure on your property. Beautify your space while managing stormwater effectively!
RainSmart Rebates is two-year (2024-2025) 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 properties. 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 our Eligibility Tool. Here are the steps to follow after you’ve received confirmation you are eligible:
- Application: If your property is eligible and you are accepted into the RainSmart Rebates program, you will receive notification via email. Within that email you will be given a link to sign up for your mandatory site assessment.
- Assessment: The site assessment will cost homeowners $25 and is required to be involved in the program. Staff from our program partner, the Clinton River Watershed Council, will visit your home and discuss all the options for stormwater management on your property.
- Confirmation: After the assessment, you will receive a report via email detailing what was discussed during the visit, which projects are recommended for your property and official confirmation of your eligible projects—rain barrel(s), tree(s) and/or rain garden.
- Installation: If you are approved to install a rain barrel or plant a tree, you may start to purchase and install your stormwater project(s) after you receive confirmation. For rain gardens, you will need to submit a design and planting plan for approval prior to installation. We will review your design and notify you upon approval. If your design needs any revisions, we will help you make revisions, but you will be required to resubmit your updated design. Once your rain garden design is approved you may start to purchase and install your rain garden. For more information visit our Resources, Frequently Asked Questions and Document Library webpages.
- Rebate: After you successfully complete your stormwater project(s) installation, you may apply for your rebate. You must complete the RainSmart Rebates Reimbursement Request Form. This form will require you to upload photos of your stormwater project(s) and receipts of your purchases. You will also be required to sign the Property Owner Agreement during this process.
- Maintenance: Your stormwater project will require periodic maintenance throughout its usable life. Please review the maintenance guidelines for the stormwater project that you installed.
Am I Eligible?
See if your property is within the George W. Kuhn Drain Drainage District and eligible to apply for the RainSmart Rebates program.
Resources
Read information about stormwater management, residential solutions, rain barrels, rain gardens, and trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the RainSmart Rebates program’s frequently asked questions.
Rebates Available
| Project | Details1 | Rebate2 |
|---|---|---|
| Rain Barrel | Minimum 50 gallons/barrel; up to two barrels/property | $125/barrel |
| Rain Garden | Must consist of at least 75% native species | $6/square foot |
| Tree | Minimum 5 feet tall; must be on the eligible tree list; up to two trees per property | $250/tree |
1Homeowners who install multiple projects will first be held to the individual project rebate amounts. A combination of projects will still be subject to the maximum rebate ceiling of $2,000 per property.
2For a complete list of eligible items, please see the FAQs
RainSmart Rebates Application Form
If you have any questions about the program or need to change something after submitting your application, please email rainsmart@oakgov.com.
About Us
The George W. Kuhn (GWK) Drain Drainage District is a combined sewer system serving all or part of 14 communities, encompassing a drainage area of 24,500 acres upstream of the Red Run Drain, a tributary of the Clinton River. During dry weather, flow is routed to the Great Lakes Water Resource Recovery Facility in Detroit. During heavy rainfall, flow may exceed the outlet capacity to Detroit, causing excess flow to be diverted to the GWK Retention Treatment Basin where it is stored, screened and disinfected prior to discharge to the Red Run Drain.
Our office is made up of approximately 370 employees who are responsible for management of stormwater, drinking water, and wastewater services for residents throughout Oakland County. The Environmental Team implements and manages programs to protect and restore Oakland County’s rivers, lakes and streams. The flow of water does not recognize political boundaries; therefore, we work with communities and other stakeholders to protect the waterways. The RainSmart Rebates program was developed to assist residents within the district manage stormwater and learn about the importance of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). For questions, please email RainSmart@oakgov.com.
The Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing, and celebrating the Clinton River, its watershed, and Lake St. Clair. They provide residents, schools, governments, businesses, and other community groups with wide-ranging programs and events to ensure a healthy Clinton River Watershed. They are assisting us with the management of the RainSmart Rebates program through conducting the initial site assessments and administering the equity grant. To learn more about them, visit crwc.org.