Transforming My Yard: How the Rain Ready Program is Helping Protect Our Community

Rachelle Thibodeau, Environment Committee

A few years ago, when I moved to Orleans, I was immediately drawn to the natural beauty of the area, especially the mature trees in our backyard and the river just a short walk away. But when I looked at my front lawn, I realized it wasn’t doing much to absorb rainwater. Like many homes in older neighborhoods, it was mostly grass, offering little biodiversity or stormwater management.

I soon learned that this was a common issue in Ottawa. Older neighborhoods were built without considering the heavy rainfall we now experience. When it rains, water rushes off driveways, roofs, and paved surfaces into storm sewers, causing flooding and carrying pollutants into our creeks and rivers. With climate change bringing even more intense storms, the problem is only getting worse.

That’s when I discovered the Rain Ready program, which offers financial incentives to homeowners who take steps to manage rainwater runoff. This includes redirecting downspouts, installing permeable surfaces, and creating rain gardens—perfect for someone like me, who cares about sustainability and transforming my yard into something more “spongy,” beautiful, and functional.

Taking Action: My Journey with the Rain Ready Program

I was concerned to learn that my home was in a “Priority 1 Stormwater Retrofit Zone” because of elevated flood risk. But I was also excited because this meant I was eligible for rebates under the program.

The first step was having a professional assess my property. The recommendations were simple: reroute downspouts to direct water onto the ground, not the driveway, and install a rain garden to absorb even more rainwater. (They also recommended a permeable driveway, which is on our “someday” list.)

The fun part came next—designing the rain garden. The program required hiring a certified garden planner, so I enlisted Sean James, a landscape designer based in Oakville. His three-year plan has been invaluable in guiding me through the process.

Today, the program has made it easier to access professional help, with a list of Fusion-certified garden planners available locally. This is a huge advantage for those of us new to gardening who want to make a positive environmental impact.

What the Rain Ready Program Offers

The Rain Ready program helps homeowners manage rainwater runoff with rebates of up to $5,000. The incentives cover actions like:

• Redirecting downspouts to permeable surfaces (like soil or gravel).
• Installing permeable pavement to allow water to soak into the ground.
• Creating rain gardens that capture rainwater and support local wildlife.

You can even take free e-learning courses to qualify for some rebates. For homeowners like me, this program is a great way to protect our homes from flooding while contributing to a healthier environment by preventing pollution from reaching our rivers.

Consider the Rain Ready Program

Transforming my yard has been a rewarding journey. There were challenges along the way—especially as a beginner gardener—but the results have been worth it. I’ve seen positive changes, like more butterflies, bees, and even frogs making their home in our yard.

If you see us gardening (the blue house on Decarie), feel free to stop by. We’d be happy to show you around.

If you’re considering making your home Rain Ready, I encourage you to take the plunge. Every step you take to make your property more “spongy” helps absorb rainwater, reduces flooding, and makes the whole community more resilient and sustainable.