Deering Woods Condominium Association

What is polluted runoff?

Parts of the Chesapeake Bay watershed contain a high percentage of impervious cover – paved or other hard surfaces such as roofs and roadways that prevent rain water from being absorbed into the ground.  Instead, water runs along these surfaces, collecting trash and substances such as motor oil, lawn fertilizers, and pesticides.  This polluted stormwater flows into streams and rivers, where it threatens aquatic ecosystems and public health.

Effective stormwater management, on the other hand, creates safe paths for polluted runoff to be captured and filtered through the ground before it reaches waterways.  This helps keep the environment clean and our communities healthy!

bioretention / rain gardens
before image
The site before construction of the rain garden. Credit: READY Program.
after image
The completed rain garden. Credit: READY Program.

Project Location: Columbia, MD

Problem: Twenty-five townhomes in the Deering Woods Condominium Association of Howard County, Maryland, lacked a stormwater treatment plan.  Rain events led to flooding and erosion problems. 

Solution: A 200 foot x 15 foot linear rain garden was installed throughout the community to alleviate drainage problems. The bioretention capability of the rain garden now absorbs 100% of the rain water runoff.  

The READY program offers an ongoing maintenance program which visits the site four to six times per year to ensure the success of the stormwater features installed. 

Cost: $9,700

Jobs Created: 8

Contact Information
Lori Lilly | Howard EcoWorks | llilly@howardecoworks.org
Key project facts
Project Type
Bioretention
Project Scale
< $10,000
Story Focus
Cost Efficiency
Job Creation
Monitoring
Community Engagement
Stormwater Funds
Yes
Problem Addressed
Erosion
Flooding / Drainage
Runoff Pollution
Year Installed
2015
State Legislative District
12
Federal Legislative District
7