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Summer is a good season for growing... and we are leaning into program improvements and resources to help you grow your skills! Read on for:
- New contractor skill-building resources
- An updated supply resource and other program improvements
- Where we are prioritizing customer outreach
- Inspector tip on wye cleanouts
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Upcoming events, including hands-on installation trainings!
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We are excited to highlight our new and improved contractor skill-building resources! Visit the contractor skill-building page for guidance on a range of business and practical skills including top tips from experienced contractors for installing rain gardens and cisterns.
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We also have hands-on training sessions coming up! Join these small-group sessions to get installation practice with expert guidance. These training opportunities are intended for new contractors who have had 0-2 installations. More experienced contractors may register interest, but new contractors will receive priority. Check out the Upcoming Events section below.
And, if you’re curious about big roof projects and missed the April workshop, a new intro video is available to explain how this process differs from other RainWise projects.
Have pro tips to add or ideas for future skill-building content? Send them to rainwise@seattle.gov.
On July 6th, SPU Program Manager Carrie Schaffner emailed you with the actions we have taken this year to improve the program based on recent contractor feedback. A key output of this work is the newly updated Contractor Supply Resource, including significant new intel around sourcing cisterns.
Check out Carrie's email for more details on program improvements, and keep the feedback coming!
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To meet our stormwater management goals, we are focusing our outreach to homeowners in high-priority areas.
King County is continuing to maximize outreach opportunities in recently opened basins - Rainier Valley and Magnolia – while maintaining outreach across all basins. Rainier Valley has roughly 10,000 potentially eligible properties and Magnolia has about 1,000– offering many opportunities for new projects.
SPU is focusing on the Brace Point neighborhood in West Seattle, where 70 newly eligible properties inside the Barton basin are contributing to sewer overflows into Puget Sound. New RainWise installations in this neighborhood would make a real difference in reducing this pollution.
This eligibility map offers more information on cistern and rain garden opportunities across City of Seattle. Contact rainwise@seattle.gov before starting projects over 2,000 SF of roof area.
Our inspectors often see wye cleanouts missing on side-sewer connections. Wye cleanouts are essential for preventing costly blockages.
RainWise Design Specifications (sheet 14, General Note 4) requires ‘all side sewer connections [to] comply with requirements for design and construction of drainage water discharges in Director's Rules 4-2011...’ You can find relevant details on page 13 of the Director’s Rule.
What do you need to do? Make sure that you install a wye cleanout at grade when connecting outflows to a side sewer. Make sure it is capped but still accessible for maintenance. We have heard that occasionally these fittings are out of stock at some stores - make sure you order this piece in advance!
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Since April, we have welcomed two new contractors to the program: Leah Wiiest Designs and Eco-Design and Maintenance. Welcome to the RainWise community! |
Summer can bring high temperatures and smoke from wildfires. RainWise will always reschedule inspections when temperatures are predicted to be over 100 degrees or if the AQI (Air Quality Index) is over 150. Some people, especially folks with other health concerns, may be more sensitive to heat and smoke at lower thresholds: we do not want anyone to put themselves in risky or uncomfortable situations. If you need to reschedule an inspection when the temperature or AQI is at an unhealthy level for you, please email inspectionrequest@seattle.gov as early as possible.
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Stay tuned for more details on customer information sessions in September and October! We'll email once details are confirmed. |
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1. Hands-on Skill-building Sessions
- Cistern installation basics
- September 9th or 10th, 9am-3pm
- Rain garden installation basics
- Date TBD - likely October
Register your interest in either training here.
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2. Virtual Office Hours
Drop-in Q&A session with program staff and inspectors: November 3, 3:30-4:30. No registration required, a Zoom link will be emailed closer to the event.
3. Stay Connected
Join the Contractor Forum on Slack, and email questions to rainwise@seattle.gov.
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