Raingarden on S Washington &17th Ave S

In 2013, an area on the corner of S Washington and 17th Ave S was developed into a raingarden. A raingarden is a type of garden designed to capture and absorb stormwater runoff from hard surfaces like roofs, parking lots, and sidewalks. However, it failed to grow within the following years of its establishment. The failure was attributed to high salinity from road salt and pollution that prevented the plants from growing. In 2020, the City of Grand Forks decided to re-establish the raingarden. Over the next three years, soil sampling and research were done to choose more suitable native plants that could withstand the local climate and soil conditions of the area, and on June 15, 2023, the raingarden was re-planted. 

Stormwater: what's the big deal?

As stormwater flows over driveways, lawns, and sidewalks, it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants. Stormwater flows into the storm sewer and carried into nearby waterways. In Grand Forks, stormwater is carried to the Red River and English Coulee. Polluted runoff that enters the storm sewer system is discharged untreated into these waterways and greatly threatens water quality.

Grand Forks MS4 Program

The City of Grand Forks MS4 program manages all stormwater within the city and reduces the amount of sediment and pollutants entering the Red River and English Coulee from the storm sewer system.

The MS4 permit, which is issued to Grand Forks by the State of North Dakota, has six minimum control measures that must be met in order to remain in regulation: public education & outreach, public participation/involvement, illicit discharge detection & elimination, construction stormwater management, post-construction stormwater management, and pollution prevention.

To learn more, read the annual MS4 Report here.

Common Stormwater Pollutants

Common stormwater pollutants include motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, transmission fluids, pet waste, yard waste, dirt or gravel, trash, construction debris, paint, solvent/degreaser, cooking grease, detergent, home improvement waste, pesticides, or fertilizers. If you see any of these pollutants being dumped into the storm drain, click the button below to report.

Contact the Stormwater Department