Cisterns and other. water storage strategies

Transcription

1 Cisterns and other water storage strategies BJ Jarvis, Pasco County Extension Director/Horticulture Agent Master Gardener Statewide Conference October, 2010

2 Water Shortage: It s s a matter of WHEN, not IF

3

4 Reservoirs - not common

5 Sources of Water 20% from surface water About 80% from groundwater sources Small percentage Aquifer Storage and Recovery Reservoirs Reclaimed Water Only one is cheap

6 Florida s s Water Sources

7 Florida s s Water Story Why care about conservation? Limited water resources Saltwater intrusion Droughts Beneficial use of hydrologic cycle Old technology gains new life

8 Why Do Gardeners Care? Up to 50% of water use is outdoors Irrigating ¼ acre five times = a lifetime of water Decreased water bills It makes sense to conserve

9 What Can Gardeners Do? Preserve Preserve potable water for drinking and indoor uses Harvest Harvest and store rainwater for non- potable uses i.e. irrigation

10 Rainfall Math 1 rainfall 1,000 sq. ft roof = 623 gal ex: 1 1 rain 2,500 sq. ft roof = over 1,500 gal.

11 What is Rainwater Harvesting? Collecting rainwater Storing rainwater Using rainwater

12 What can you use it for? Irrigation Hand water your lawn and garden Rainwater to irrigation system Outdoor Wash vehicles and pets Refill ponds/fountains Refill swimming pool Industrial Processes Indoor Toilet flushing

13 Cisterns Greater storage than rain barrels Variety of styles Above, below or half-submerged Need to be able to clean out 1,500 g in Oregon

14 Parts of a Cistern System Catchment Area (roof) Rain Pretreatment (screen filters, first-flush) flush) Storage To irrigation system

15 Parts of the System Roof Roof type doesn t t matter Conveyance gutters or roof line valley Closed Closed system to keep out mosquitoes Professionals recommend leaf guard to reduce clogs

16 More System Parts Pretreatment to reduce debris Storage Storage is cistern Metal, fiberglass, polyethylene, polypropylene Distribution goes to irrigation system

17 Pretreatment

18 Additional Types Less Maintenance, lose water

19 What do they look like? Three general types: Above ground Below ground Partially submerged

20 Sumter Extension From the roof to storage make it attractive Photos courtesy: Holly Tuxbury & Brooke Burn

21 St. Pete Residence Used Used for Laundry, toilets, irrigation 1,1001,100 gallons

22 Multi-family Residence Also in St. Pete 3X850 gallons Toilets and irrigation

23 Creating Privacy

24 Kings Co, Washington

25 Western US Patio is cistern Water is directed to citrus by gravity feed

26 Below Ground Examples Sarasota Office Complex 28,000 gals

27 Rinker Hall - UF 8,0008,000 gals

28 Limiting Factors Distribution Many Many local regulations Sufficient elevation or pump Cost Cost

29 Costs Not Not a DIY project 60:4060:40 cistern : installation costs $1,500-3,500 for 2,000 gal cistern PermitsPermits

30 Other consideration Rainwater does not come in contact with the ground so it does not contain: harmful bacteria dissolved salts minerals heavy metals

31 Lower tech/$$ Rain Barrels Rain Gardens Conservation

32 Rain Barrels Under downspout / eave Collects morning dew Extends H2O availability Food grade barrel can be hard to find Screen to exclude insects Clean periodically Beautiful example in Hillsborough Co

33 Check it out

34 Single or Multiples

35 Rain Gardens A mini-retention systems On-lot infiltration, soakaway pits, bioswale Prevent erosion and runoff Pollutant collection Water stays on site Slow percolation Beautiful! Source: City of Maplewood, MN

36 Careful Planning Take advantage of existing drainage Away from structure to prevent flooding Choose resilient plants 20-30% of volume May need curb-cut cut Above water table Source: DNR.WI.Gov

37 Before and After Source:

38 How to Build a Rain Garden Partial excavation Save topsoil Back fill with stone and gravel Some rules require a liner/sump Some add pit Then landscape! Source: City of Maplewood, MN

39 Assure Success with Maintenance Water plants to establish Mulch planting Vigilant weeding Make sure plants are happy Effective for decades Source: Dan Culbert, IFAS

40 Green Roofs Reduces temperatures degrees Green roof absorbs 45% runoff vs. 9% without Reduce air pollution Chicago = 300,000 ft 2 Source: umich.edu

41 Examples Chicago City Hall University of Central Florida Student Union

42 Green Roof Challenges Shallow Shallow soil profile Weight Weight is biggest issue High High or low plantings Source: NYC

43 Escambia Co. One-Stop Permitting Center 33,000 sq. ft. under green "This project is a great example of how local governments can adopt environmentallysustainable practices that not only protect natural resources but help reduce the potential for some of the harmful effects of climate change. ~ Eric Livingston DEP's Chief of Bureau of Watershed Restoration

44 Alpharetta Park Pavilion

45 Can you guess this location? Celebrity Solstice

46 Local Regulations Prevail Rain barrels communities can t t prohibit Cisterns local ordinances vary greatly Rain gardens assure does not interrupt planned drainage Succulents and Cacti at Washington DC offices of ASLA

47 Follow Nine FFL Principals Right Plant: Right Place Water efficiently Fertilize Appropriately Mulch Attract Wildlife

48 More Principals Manage Manage Yard Pests Responsibly RecycleRecycle Reduce Reduce Storm-water Runoff Protect Protect the Waterfront

49 Water Related Principals Water Water Efficiently MulchMulch Reduce Reduce Storm-water Runoff Protect Protect the Waterfront

50 More information Unversity of Florida Cisterns: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae029 Living Green series Program for Resource Efficient Communities Magazine.Audobon.org for list of raingarden plants

51 Questions?