#MiSustainableHolland

Water Conservation

Protecting Holland’s Water Resources for a Sustainable Future

Project Clarity is a community-wide partnership committed to improving the health and clarity of Lake Macatawa and the Macatawa Watershed. This legacy project will have a lasting, profound impact on the economy, environment, and community as a whole.

RAINSCAPING

What is it?

Rainscaping is a method of watershed restoration that uses practices to manage rain water where it falls. The Macatawa Rasincaping program promotes awareness and implementation of these practices among homeowners, landscapers, and contractors. The program highlights the benefits of these practices and the skills required for installation. Some rainscaping practices are also referred to as green stormwater infrastructure. This is a broader term encompassing many more practices that manage rain water where it falls. Rainscaping practices are a subset that can be easily used at home. They include:

Rainscaping for Homeowners

Homeowners can sign up to request a free site assessment by clicking the button below. We will provide your responses to a volunteer (or project partner) who will schedule a site visit to walk the property and discuss rainscaping with you. Within a couple weeks, the volunteer will provide a written summary of recommendation and additional resources. ODC Network staff or other project partners will follow up to see if you want to implement any of the recommended practices. If you’re ready to plan and install rainscaping practices on your own, The ODC Network has created a Google folder of resources to help you on your journey. Feel free to request a site assessment or contact us if you need some guidance!

LAWN CARE & LANDSCAPING

We all want our lawns to be green and healthy. However, our lawn care practices can have a direct impact on our water quality. Rain washes away fertilizer and grass clippings left on pavement and carries them to lakes and streams. Fertilizer and grass clippings that end up in the lake can cause excess aquatic weed and algae growth, making it harder to swim, boat and fish. Lawn care to protect water quality starts with following proper mowing, fertilizing and watering guidelines. Download your copy of our Lawn Care and Landscaping Guide here.

Water COnservation

Water is a precious resource, even in a state surrounded by fresh water! Water conservation is important both outside and inside your house. Outdoor water conservation includes selecting the right plants for your yard, using mulch, watching your watering, and using rain barrels to capture and reuse rainwater. Indoor water conservation includes finding and fixing leaks, shutting off water when you don’t need it, and only running the dishwasher or washing machine when you have a full load.