Soakaways allow space for rain water to collect and slowly seep into surrounding soils. A soakaway pit or trench is lined with landscape fabric and then filled with clean gravel. The top of the soakaway can be planted with grass or plants, or can be designed as a rocky landscape feature.
Soakaways are ideal for small yards. Built a minimum of 3m from building foundations, some soakaways can be up to 2 m deep. This depth means soakaways are usually more compact than rain gardens which cover more land/surface. For many suburban properties, long trench soakaways often fit the narrow strips of land between driveways.
Direct stormwater to your soakaway through a downspout that carries water from your roof, or the overflow from a rain barrel. If your downspout is connected to your city’s stormwater systems, learn more about disconnecting it here.
The most difficult part of installing a soakaway yourself is likely the digging that is required. Learn more at one of CVC’s Rainscaping workshops. Alternatively, Fusion landscape professionals are able to install most soakaways and make more detailed recommendations for your home landscape.
Soakaways are not suitable for locations with a high water table or excessive ponding.