Rain Ready Alabama offers stormwater implementation funding for homes, businesses and communities
Published: Jul 8, 2026 1:00 PM
By Dustin Duncan
The program gives property owners a practical way to address common stormwater issues while contributing to broader watershed health.
Auburn University is helping homeowners, businesses, homeowner associations and communities across Alabama address stormwater issues through Rain Ready Alabama, a new program that connects eligible participants with reimbursement support for approved green stormwater infrastructure projects.
Rain Ready Alabama is a partnership among the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, the Auburn University Stormwater Research Facility (AU-SRF), the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Harbert College of Business. The program is designed to help manage stormwater where it falls, reducing runoff that can contribute to flooding and water quality concerns in local streams, rivers and watersheds.
Through the program, eligible participants may receive reimbursement support for approved projects such as rain gardens, permeable pavement, bioswales, rainwater harvesting systems, septic pump-outs and streambank stabilization. Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Michael Perez, director of the AU-SRF and Brasfield & Gorrie associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and project lead, said the program gives property owners a practical way to address common stormwater issues while contributing to broader watershed health.
“Many people think about stormwater only when they see standing water in their yard or drainage issues around their property,” Perez said. “Rain Ready Alabama gives eligible property owners a way to address those problems by implementing green stormwater management practices while also helping protect local streams, rivers and watersheds.”
Property owners can visit the Rain Ready Alabama website to check eligibility, review approved project types, connect with a local contractor, and begin the application process. The reimbursement process includes submitting an application, receiving approval, completing the project, submitting required documentation and receipts and being reimbursed for eligible expenses. Homeowners may also be eligible to participate in Rain Ready’s rain barrel and septic system pump out reimbursement programs.
In addition to individual property owners, municipal and county agencies may partner with AU-SRF on watershed improvement projects, stormwater infrastructure, erosion control, roadside drainage stabilization and other efforts designed to improve water quality. AU-SRF can also provide support with project identification, prioritization and implementation.
Jorge Rueda, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and project co-principal investigator, said the program helps connect state water quality goals with practical projects that property owners and communities across Alabama can implement.
“Rain Ready Alabama gives eligible property owners and communities practical tools to help reduce stormwater runoff, address local drainage concerns and protect water quality,” Rueda said. “We are excited to implement stormwater management solutions into action across Alabama that will help protect the health of watersheds across the state.”
Perez said the program reflects Auburn’s applied approach to stormwater research, education and outreach.
“Stormwater is best managed at the source, right where the raindrops land,” Perez said. “By installing rain gardens and other green stormwater practices at homes and throughout our communities, we can promote stormwater reuse, infiltration, evaporation and filtration, reducing the amount of runoff and pollutants that reach our streams. When these solutions are implemented in the right locations, they can make a meaningful difference to watershed health.”
For more information, to check eligibility or to apply, visit the Rain Ready Alabama website at rainready.auburn.edu. Questions may also be directed to rainready@auburn.edu
Media Contact: , dzd0065@auburn.edu, 334.844.2326
