BART Rain Gardens Filter Bay Runoff at Stations

BART installs rain gardens at nine stations to filter polluted runoff before it reaches Bay

BART Adds Rain Gardens at Stations to Filter Bay Runoff

BART's installed rain gardens at stations across the Bay Area to protect local waterways from polluted stormwater runoff, transit officials said during Earth Week 2026. The bioretention systems filter oil, metals, and debris before water reaches creeks and San Francisco Bay. Nine stations now feature the green infrastructure, with North Berkeley Station receiving planters most recently as part of access improvements.

Context

The transit agency adopted low-impact development as standard practice to reduce pollution flowing into the Bay and protect wildlife habitat, officials said. Traditional parking lots and paved surfaces send contaminated runoff directly into storm drains that empty into local creeks. Rain gardens use layers of soil and climate-adapted native plants to naturally clean stormwater and prevent flooding. The systems can absorb significantly more water than conventional landscaping while removing a large share of pollutants before they reach sensitive waterways.

Station Locations

BART's implemented the bioretention planters at Richmond, Warm Springs, Lafayette, El Cerrito del Norte, Concord, Millbrae, Balboa Park, San Bruno, and Antioch stations. At North Berkeley, runoff from the parking lot and bike path is directed into planters where it's filtered before flowing into Schoolhouse Creek and eventually the Bay near Berkeley Marina. The planters feature native California plants including gray rush, showy milkweed, and Douglas iris that support pollinators and enhance station environments. Officials didn't specify how many additional stations will receive rain gardens or provide a timeline for future installations.

Implementation

The transit agency continues to clean parking lots and install storm drain markers to educate riders about water quality protection. Officials said the markers remind people that storm drains connect directly to local waterways. BART's expanding the program as part of ongoing station improvement projects, though specific timelines for additional installations weren't provided.

Rider Impact

Transit officials encouraged riders to help protect the Bay by properly disposing of trash, using reusable containers, maintaining vehicles to prevent leaks, and washing cars at commercial facilities rather than at home. The rain gardens work alongside rider actions to reduce pollution entering waterways. Moovit provides real-time BART updates and trip planning for riders using stations with the new green infrastructure features.