water a permaculture approach

Rainwater HarvestingSlow it, spread it, sink itLisa DePiano, mobile design lab

Monday, November 11, 13

Global Distribution of water

70 % of the Planet is Waterof this 97% is salineof this total water, 75% is locked up in ice and 13.5% is in deep underground aquifersThis leaves us with only 1/8 % of fresh available water!


31 countries are now facing water scarcity & 1 Billion people lack access to clean drinking water- UNWorld Bank estimates that by 2025, 2/3 of the worlds population will suffer from lack of clean drinking water

Water as Oil


US water Quality37% of rivers and streams are unfishable, unswimable and 50% of lakes and pondsEPA fish consumption advisory- do not eat fish caught in any water bodyThere have been more than a half million clean water violations, by more than 23,000 companies, over the past five years- ny timesLess than 3% of all clean water act violations result in significant fine or penalty- ny times


Start from the top of the watershed

Smaller changes up above make a huge differenceAvoid “end of the tailpipe solutions”


Guidelines for Water Harvesting

Start at the top of the watershedSmall and simpleManage overflow as a resourceSpread and infiltrate water flowMaximize ground cover


Slow it Spread It Sink It

Water flows from source to sinkSlow it down, spread it out, sink it into the groundEarth is the cheapest storage


Combined Sewer Overflow


From Convex-Concave


Slimline Tanks


Sizing your Cistern

• Square ft. of catchment area x inches of rain x .6= # of gallons

1,000 ft x 2 inches x .6 = 1,200 gallonsRunoff coeffienct= .80 for roofs.2 landscaped beds/grass


High in the landscape• Use gravity instead of pumps• .43 psi/ ft above• At least 2.5 feet above for garden hoses

1 psi


Flow Forms


Ponds


Where Water Runs we Make it walk

SwalesCheck DamsLaying organic matter on contour


Seattle: SEA streets


Keyline Design and Cultivation


Slide Courtesy of Darren Doherty


Coulter

Shank

Depth Adjustment

Seedbox


Slide Courtesy of Darren Doherty


From Permaculture - A Designer’s ManualMonday, November 11, 13

Chinampas


Resources• Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands-

Brad Lancaster• Creating Rain Gardens- Woelfe• Vermont Rain Garden Manuel• www.permaculturefeast.org• www.mobiledesignlab.org


http://www.permaculturefeast.org

http://www.permaculturefeast.org

http://www.mobiledesignlab.org

http://www.mobiledesignlab.org

Ram Pump


Solar Shower


water a permaculture approach

Technology