Two rain gardens cover 480 square feet of ground. The rain gardens collect and retain rainwater drained from 17,400 square feet of roof covering the WPC building. The building's downspouts were diverted from the combined sewer system to the rain gardens located along the northeast side of WPC’s warehouse. The rain gardens contain plants native to Northeast Ohio and they are accustomed to local climate changes and require minimum, if any, maintenance. The integration of the rain gardens is both functional and aesthetically appealing, while also resulting in reduction of stormwater discharged into the combined sewerage system or becoming runoff that could lead to contaminating nearby waterways.

A bioswale collects runoff from non-pervious pavement around the main entrance driveway. Prior to completion of the Stormwater Management Demonstration Project, about 9,950 square feet of parking lot drainage flowed into the Kirby Avenue drainage system, which flows to a combined sanitary sewer system. That drainage now is intercepted by the bioswale and infiltrates into the ground. The bioswale is similar to the rain gardens in that it also contains plants native to the Northeast Ohio.

More than 24,00 square feet of permeable pavement covers the WPC parking lots. The pavements allow rain and snow melt to absorb into the ground slowly and naturally, which decreases the amount of stormwater runoff that could overwhelm sewer pipes or cause flooding. Runoff also can harm the environment when its flow picks up contaminants on the ground, such as auto fluids and pet waste.

The final element of the project is three 5,000-gallon tanks that each collect and store rainwater and snow melt for re-use. Water from the 17,400 square feet roof is used to irrigate the landscape, wash vehicles and flush toilets. In addition to its environmental benefits, the Stormwater Management Demonstration Poject helps educate the community about the use of green solutions to address stormwater runoff issues.