City of Shawnee

Contain the Rain, Stormwater Cost Share Program

No additional funding will be available for 2024. Thank you for your understanding and support. Please check back with us in 2025 for new opportunities!

About the Program
The City of Shawnee has continued its partnership with the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program to provide funding for a Stormwater Treatment Facility (STF) cost-share program. The Contain the Rain Stormwater Program is an innovative approach to controlling stormwater quality impacts caused by stormwater runoff.

Stormwater runoff is the water that is generated when rain, snow melt, and surface drainage flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not percolate into the ground. Impervious surfaces are defined as hard surfaces where water is unable to soak or infiltrate into the ground, such as streets, parking lots, sidewalks, and roof tops.

As stormwater runoff flows over land and impervious surfaces, it picks up sediment, contaminants, litter, nutrients, and other pollutants which then discharge into the waterways within Shawnee untreated. Unmanaged stormwater could adversely affect these waterways by causing water pollution, stream bank erosion, and even flooding.
How you can help

By capturing rain water where it lands, and infiltrating or slowing the stormwater down through STFs, the pollutants and sediment have a chance to settle out rather than create an adverse effect on Shawnee's waterways. These facilities can help improve the water quality of our streams, creeks, and ponds, and can ultimately help improve the water quality downstream in the Kansas River.


The goal of this cost-share program is to encourage individual homeowners and businesses to incorporate STFs on their property to aid in the improvement of water quality. The program is intended to help cover the cost of materials and/or contractor labor to install such facilities.

The City of Shawnee will provide the following:

  • 50% match on STFs, up to $1,000 for rain gardens, native planting swales/buffers, cisterns, permeable pavement (driveways/patios)
  • 50% match on rain barrels, up to $75 each (max. of 2 per household)
  • 50% match on native trees, up to $75 each. (max. of 2 per household)

Funding is available to applicants on a first come, first serve basis, and applications will be considered in the order they are received and may be limited by the number of requests and available funding. Funding will not be allowed for STFs that are required to meet Chapter 11.16.090 of the Shawnee Municipal Code.

How to participate

If you are interested in installing a stormwater treatment facility on your property, review the program requirements guidelines before filling out an application form.

Program Applicant Conditions:

  1. The applicant shall be responsible for all project costs. The City of Shawnee will provide reimbursement after the costs have been incurred. After submitting all final costs and receipts, the City of Shawnee will reimburse the applicant. 
  2. The project must be completed by October 31, of the year of application. 
  3. The City of Shawnee will require access to your property for evaluation of the application prior to the start of construction, during construction, after construction is complete for final inspection of the project, and during the 3-year maintenance period. 
  4. Implementation of an approved project is the sole responsibility of the property owner. The City of Shawnee is not liable for personal injury or property damage resulting from said work. 
  5. Projects approved for funding carry no implied warranty by the City of Shawnee. 
  6. The funded practice shall be maintained for a minimum period of three years. All maintenance costs are the responsibility of the property owner. 
  7. The applicant is responsible for obtaining all applicable permits. This includes notifying Kansas One Call before digging. This application approval does not constitute a permit. 

Instructions:

  1. Fill out the application. Attach a map, project summary/description, cost summary and project schedule.
  2. Include any cost estimates or quotes.
  3. Make sure the application is signed by the property owner(s).
  4. Submit the completed application and all required documents to Stormwater Program Specialist, City of Shawnee, 11110 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 66203
  5. Contact Stormwater Program Manager at (913) 742-6313, for the following: 
  • After application approval, contact prior to starting the project for an initial inspection.
  • For a final inspection after the project is constructed.
  • To submit final receipts for approval and payment. 

 

Rain Barel