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Rain Water Capture

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Category: Columnists

Published on Saturday, 29 August 2009 07:00

Written by Gary Edelbrock

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Rain water capture - a great way to save money and still water your garden!

We all know there are ways to save on electricity, but what about your water bill? Well, this is Gary Edelbrock here, to introduce you to Mark Holmes, the Water Resources Director for Chino Valley, with information about the value of rainwater capture.

Rain Water Capture, a Smart Paradigm Shift We Need Now

Within the Prescott Active Management Area (AMA) there are very little renewable water supplies being utilized within our regions annual water use. Groundwater, which is currently being significantly over-drafted, is no longer the water supply it once was. Not until significant efforts are accomplished towards achieving and thereafter maintaining safe-yield can we ever count on groundwater again as our regions sole water supply. However, there is a significant renewable water supply called precipitation that is not being utilized to its full potential. In fact 450,000 acre-feet fall within the AMA annually, however, less than 2% actually makes its way into the groundwater system.

Many water resource experts around the nation and the world question why communities spend exuberant amounts of money in water pumping, operations, and maintenance costs that deplete groundwater in storage, to serve half of this precious potable water supply for exterior landscaping needs. This is especially true when there are alternative and renewable water supplies available.

Rain water capture is the only real solution to provide a water supply for exterior landscaping and to provide a water supply that can be perpetually supplied to the groundwater aquifer as replenishment. Many argue that through conservation alone we can meet our safe-yield goals; however when we use water for exterior landscaping uses, that is water that is entirely lost through transpiration and evaporation processes. In fact on average 40% - 50% of our water is lost due to landscaping uses. It becomes clear that if we eliminated groundwater from being served for landscaping and used rain water through a capture system we virtually cut our water demand in half. If this happened, we would accomplish safe-yield. Also, through rain water capture, a quantity of water could annually replenish the aquifer, keeping in mind that this water for replenishment should be used strictly for that purpose and not as a commodity. Replenishment of the aquifer will ensure the base flow of the Verde River and springs.

Interesting enough, the one sector of our region that we often hear blamed again and again for the over-draft is “Development”. However, new development will ultimately be the only real solution allowing us to achieve safe-yield and use mainly rainwater. Regardless of the size of land developments, they all must meet flood control regulations that address pre versus post development rainwater runoff from increased impervious surfaces. That is why most developments engineer mass grading to address this rainwater flow. Therefore, new development can create retention basins that could capture rain via rooftops, streets, curbs, storm drains, and quickly recharge that water back into the aquifer. Therefore, water smart developments will create new water supplies whereby a portion can be recovered for landscaping use and another portion for safe-yield efforts. Because these developments are connected to a sewer system, 90% or better of the water served interiorly will be collected, treated, and recharged making this type development an extremely efficient development.

A Quick Note from Gary

In the meantime, should you have any real estate needs, give me a call, and I'll do all I can to get you some answers.

Of course, if you have out-of-town visitors, please remember to check into the Log Cabin.

Gary Edelbrock
Kim Horn Realty

(928)-778-0442 Home/Cell

(928)-778-7036 Office

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