The Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society is making grants to City of Falls Church residents for projects to reduce stormwater runoff, it was announced this week.

Grants are available for projects to install rain gardens or conservation landscapes and for purchase of rain barrels to store rain water. The grants are part of the RainSmart program implemented by VPIS with support from the City of Falls Church. The program is intended to help City residents implement practices, such as rain barrels and rain gardens, that help rainwater soak into the ground on-site to prevent flooding and protect water quality locally and in the wider Chesapeake Bay watershed. The program also includes public information and outreach programs to promote stormwater management. An easy step that local residents can take to manage stormwater is to install rain barrels to catch runoff from roofs.

Under the RainSmart program, City residents can apply for grant funds for up to two rain barrels with a limit of $50 for each barrel. Some residents may want to use this grant at rain barrel workshops in the region sponsored by the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District. Workshops are scheduled for March 10 and 30, April 5 and 6, and May 25.