Build a small rain garden that drinks the street's storm water in east Tacoma

East Tacoma's streets flush oil, metals, and grit into the creek system with every storm. A curb-cut rain garden — a planted basin that takes street water through a notch in the curb — filters that first flush block by block. Tacoma's stormwater program supports resident-built gardens on approved sites. Standard: City of Tacoma GSI/rain garden design guidance; SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Proof: before/after photos of the built basin, inlet, and plantings Method (City of Tacoma GSI/rain garden design guidance; SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).): 1. Confirm the approved site and design with the city stormwater program and call 811 for locates. 2. Dig the shallow basin to the designed depth with hand tools, shaping gentle side slopes. 3. Blend in compost, set the inflow stone at the curb notch, and armor the inlet with cobbles. 4. Plant the listed rain-garden natives in zones and mulch the basin. 5. Photograph the finished garden and its curb inlet, GPS-tagged and dated. Done when: before/after photos of the built basin, inlet, and plantings

Where

Approved planting strip site near E 40th St, Tacoma, WA 98404

Pay

$440 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

before/after photos of the built basin, inlet, and plantings

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

intermediate

Open until

2026-09-18

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 30–75 minutes. Method of record: EPA green-infrastructure inspection (bioretention / bioswale / permeable pavement function + maintenance)

Bring

• measuring tape
• GPS phone
• camera
• trowel / probe
• data sheet
• gloves

Steps

1. 1. Locate the GI asset; record GPS; identify the type (rain garden / bioswale / permeable pavement / tree filter).
2. 2. Photograph the asset, its inlet, and its outlet/overflow.
3. 3. Check the inlet and outlet for blockage (sediment, trash, mulch) and note whether flow can enter/leave freely.
4. 4. Check for standing water and estimate whether it drains within the design window (typically <24-48h after rain); probe media if dry.
5. 5. Assess vegetation/media condition and estimate sediment/trash accumulation depth.
6. 6. Note erosion, bypass, or structural damage and list the maintenance needed.
7. 7. Enter asset type, condition, inlet/outlet status, drainage observation, sediment level, maintenance needs, GPS, photos; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Standing water persists > 48h after rain -> flag failed infiltration (clogged media) for rehab.
• Inlet or outlet blocked -> flag for cleaning; the asset isn't capturing runoff.
• Erosion, undercutting, or flow bypassing the asset -> flag for repair.
• Documentation only — no digging out media or altering structures.

What counts as done

• Asset type + overall condition recorded
• Inlet + outlet clear/blocked status recorded
• Standing-water / infiltration observation recorded
• Sediment/trash level + maintenance recommendations + GPS + photos

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.