Water Harvesting

Getting started:

• Observe the natural flow of the rainfall in your yard from your house and around.
• Sketch a site map and include these areas.
• Mark the pitch of the roof and flow of rain.
• Mark high and low points in your yard and where water accumulates.

Next Steps:

• Begin with adjusting or installing gutters. Add a barrel or build a berm to direct or capture the water off of the gutter. During a 1" rainfall, a 1,000 sq. foot roof collects about 630 gallons of water.
• Watch what happens during rainfall and make adjustments or add other elements as needed. You should direct the water away from the foundation by about 8-10 feet.
• Promote quick drainage by loosening or tilling the soil in holding areas and covering with mulch. Do not compact the soil or the water will just sit and create a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Add spillways to provide for overflow in order to channel the extra water elsewhere in the landscape.
• Utilize many small rainwater collection areas. These are more effective then one large basin and will drain faster to your plants.
• If you are wanting to store the water for future use during dry times, then consider installing a containment system with filtrations installed to avoid contamination and mosquitoes. This system can then be plumbed to your plants to keep them watered without costing you a dime. Check out a company called Desert Rain Systems for more information on such systems.

Excerpts of this Article Courtesy: Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine