During a downpour, rainwater hits pavement and flows into drains, picking up pollutants like oil, fertilizers, and road salts along the way. These pollutants can flow into nearby water bodies, where they can harm wildlife, make swimming and boating unsafe, or even contaminate drinking water.
![Building a rain garden near impervious surfaces like asphalt and concrete in parking lots and driveways can help absorb stormwater runoff and reduce flooding. Pictured is the Rainscaping Education Program demonstration garden in Tippecanoe County Extension Office, Indiana. (Image credit: Purdue Rainscaping Education Program and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant) Building a rain garden near impervious surfaces like asphalt and concrete in parking lots and driveways can help absorb stormwater runoff and reduce flooding. Pictured is the Rainscaping Education Program demonstration garden in Tippecanoe County Extension Office, Indiana.](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_width_1275/public/legacy/image/2020/Jun/rainscaping.jpg?itok=Dkunjj63)
Building a rain garden near impervious surfaces like asphalt and concrete in parking lots and driveways can help absorb stormwater runoff and reduce flooding. Pictured is the Rainscaping Education Program demonstration garden in Tippecanoe County Extension Office, Indiana. (Image credit: Purdue Rainscaping Education Program and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant)