Water Catchment and Conservation Discussion Report 6/26/06 - Cathy Holt
June 28, 2006 at 4:21 pm (SOS DISCUSSION REPORTS 6/26/06, Water)
Report #:20
Name of Topic: water catchment and conservation
Name of Leader: Cathy Holt
Names of Participants: Michael Malone, Sage Linden, Carl Odom, gayatri erlandson, Jim Barton, Kathleen Osta
Highlights of Discussion (present story unfolding): water is life and vital to any home site. Water catchments and conservation: anyone can save water with a lowflow shower head. Toilets and washing machines that use less water. Gray water (from washing dishes or shower) can be used for watering the garden. Ground water cannot recharge in cities (pavement) and some groundwater is fossil water, a one time gift. The Colorado river used to get to Mexico now it is mostly used or contaminated. For catchments, metal and green roofs are best. Protect gutters with screens. Can have cisterns with filtration (sand and oyster shells) for drinking. Ferrocement cisterns made with rebar and cement; plastic bladder within a frame is lower cost. Arizona has a law prohibiting roof water collection. Privatization of water supply is a big problem as in Stockton, CA –they maximize profit and the water system deteriorates. Water use globally: 70% is for agriculture (irrigation), 20% industry, 10% personal use. Use of drip irrigation would reduce ag water use by 50-70% and increase productivity by up to 90%.
Silt traps for pond: dig a depression upstream.
Composting toilets: flush toilets account for 40% of personal water use in the U.S.
Rain gardens: help filter runoff from parking areas before it reaches creeks, etc.
Future Action/Next Steps: suggested- a tour of Metropolitan sewerage District; a raingardens talk by Michael Miller of RiverLink; Cathy has a Powerpoint presentation on water as sacred resource, which she could show at the U.U. Church.
