Rain gardens reduce flooding by managing excess rainwater. 

They take some of the rain that normally would flow into the sewer system or the street and collect it in a shallow, unseen trough underneath the plants. 

The plants then use this water to grow, and any water left over slowly sinks into the ground.

Compared to a conventional patch of lawn, a rain garden allows 30% more water to soak into the ground.  Even though it is called a “rain garden,” water does not pond or stand on the surface of this landscape feature.

The Westmoreland Conservation District has created rain gardens in various locations in the county.   One of the largest captures rainwater from a 750-square-foot section of roof on the GreenForge office building on Donohoe Road in Greensburg.  It is shown in the picture above, during a rain storm.

The District also is working with Mount Pleasant borough and residents to create rain gardens in Ramsay Terrace...as well as in the borough parking lots behind Levin's and near the library/municipal building.

Although they will add beauty to the neighborhoods, the real purpose of the rain gardens is reduce flooding, a problem that has historically plagued the Ramsay Terrace neighborhood and, in particular, North and South Geary streets.

Funding for the Mount Pleasant rain gardens is being provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection through Section 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The Richard King Mellon Foundation is providing funding for public information and outreach on the program.