Due to stormwater runoff, many pollutants typical in urban areas have been found in our local waterways. The entire city benefits when residents take steps to prevent water from leaving their property and entering the storm drains.
The City of Lincoln Watershed Management Division is offering a rebate of up to $2000 to Lincoln property owners for approved rainscaping projects. The program reimburses participants for 50 percent of qualifying expenses related to these projects. The goal of this program is to improve water quality, reduce runoff, and facilitate infiltration. Participants may do the work themselves or hire an approved professional.
Funding for this program is provided by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District and the City of Lincoln.
Rainscapes are beautiful, as well as functional, landscaping projects designed to capture and infiltrate stormwater runoff. They help improve water quality by preventing pollutants from leaving your property and reaching the storm drains. Rainscapes are also more sustainable than traditional landscaping because they utilize native plants, which require less water and fewer pesticides. Projects include rain gardens or bioswales and waterwise lawns.
BMP Design Guidelines(PDF, 280KB)
* Application must be approved and an agreement must be signed before work on the project can begin.
March 17 to April 25, 2025 (or until funding runs out)
May to September 2025
October 24, 2025
Choose one or more of the following approved projects:
A rain garden temporarily holds stormwater runoff in a shallow depression planted with native perennials and grasses. Similar to a rain garden, a bioswale slows the flow of stormwater runoff within a shallow channel. Both improve water quality by allowing more stormwater runoff to soak into the ground. They are dry most of the time and only hold water immediately following a rain event.
A waterwise lawn is a drought-tolerant alternative to a traditional lawn. Options include native turfgrasses, native groundcovers, sedges, and bee lawns. A waterwise lawn performs best when combined with soil quality restoration. Adding organic matter to the compacted clay soils typically found in Lincoln helps more rain soak in where it lands, instead of running off and keeps your lawn healthy with less maintenance.
(included in maximum reimbursement amount)
Rain barrels capture and store stormwater runoff from your roof. Add up to 2 rain barrels to your project. Rain barrels must be standard sized (40 to 60 gallons).
Reimbursable Expenses(PDF, 142KB)
With their large canopies and deep roots, trees can help slow the flow of stormwater runoff. Add up to 2 approved trees to your project. Purchase price cannot exceed $300 per tree.
Reimbursable Expenses(PDF, 235KB)
Questions regarding the program may be directed to: