The past two weeks we have been discussing greywater and rainwater use in our yards. Last week author Brad Lancaster gave us the background on his journey to expertise in rainwater harvesting. This week he gives us the specifics on his eight principles for successful rainwater harvesting.

A quick review of last weeks article: On average up to 90% of our household municipal water that goes down the drain is actually greywater ready, we just need to get it to the landscape. Additionally, we can harvest and infiltrate thousands of gallons of rain and runoff into the soil around our home (and, by extension, the community’s watershed) over the course of our annual average rainfall. These two water sources can provide a significant amount of our landscape irrigation needs.

By shifting to living within our greywater and rainwater “budget” we can make a significant impact on our local sustainability and landscapes. As a result, we can enrich the land, create a beautiful home and neighborhood environment – and give back more than we take!

Both of Brad’s books:

Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands Vol. 1

Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond Vol. 2

are available at our YourGuidetoGreen.com online store, as well as the book Create an Oasis with Greywater. Along with our theme of showers from the sky, we’re offering you our Eco-Shower Bundle, which both the kids and your pocketbook will love!

Enjoy the rain and hey, if you enjoy reading these weekly tips and articles please forward them to a friend (use the “Share” box below and click “email”.

You can also get them hooked on our 15 Essentials for Living a Green Lifestyle ”quickie” email series. See the green “Subscribe” box in the column to the right

Technorati Tags: diversion, garden, gardening, greywater, harvesting, rain, rainwater, systems, water

Last week we discussed greywater and some of the methods for utilizing it. If you missed it, here is the link to the tip. Now let’s move on to rainwater harvesting which, from an implementation perspective, is very similar to greywater applications. The biggest difference between the two is the source of water.

Rainwater typically is harvested from a roof and directed via gutters into the ground surrounding the structure. However, any flat hard surface can be designed to direct the water from where it lands to where you want it. As an example, my concrete driveway is slightly sloped to the south and drains the rainwater into the garden bed.

In this week’s article, Brad Lancaster begins the exploration of how we go about installing rainwater harvesting systems. Remember that many of the methods can also be overlaid on greywater systems as well. He also outlines his eight principles to a successful water harvesting system. Here are the first four:

1. Conduct a long, thoughtful observation
2. Begin at the top and work your way down
3. Plan and manage an overflow route
4. Harvest rain as close as possible to where it falls

…and for the rest check out his full article.

Our featured book, Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands Vol. 1, shows you how to select, place, size, construct, and plant your chosen water-harvesting “earthworks”. Along with our theme of showers from the sky, we’re offering you our Eco-Shower Bundle, which both the kids and your pocketbook will love!

Enjoy the rain and, as always, have a great green day! And hey, if you enjoy reading these weekly tips and articles please forward them to a friend. You can also get them hooked on our 15 Essentials for Living a Green Lifestyle ”quickie” email series.

Technorati Tags: diversion, garden, gardening, greywater, harvesting, rain, rainwater, systems, water