Site Updated July 25, 2010
In the News:
- Beginning July 1, 2010 the existing Austin Water Utility rainwater harvesting for cisterns increased to $5,000 >> more
- Sterling Ranch to be 1st Colorado rainwater harvesting site >> more
- NWF, Sierra Club Offer Ways for Texas to Lower Outdoor Water Use >> more
- The carbon footprint of tap water >> more
- Rainwater harvesting begins to take root >> more
- Innovative, Easy-to-Install Water Tank Level Gauge Now Available Worldwide >> more
- ARCSA Announces 2010 Conference in Austin, TX >> more
More News >>
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The Tale of Two Cities – Billions Conserved
Albuquerque and Santa Fe have had water conservation programs for well  over a decade, and both have been very successful. Yet their approaches to saving this precious resource in the arid Southwest are different. Since 1995, Albuquerque has reduced per capita use by 36%, Santa Fe by 42%. Santa Fe’s water use is now substantially less than the US average, while Albuquerque is likely to fall below the US average soon. Both have made tremendous strides in conserving life-giving water. What lessons can we learn by comparing these cities? >> more
Safe Drinking for All through Solar Disinfection
Every 8 seconds, a child dies from water related disease around the globe. 50% of people in developing countries suffer from one or more water-related diseases. 80% of diseases in the developing countries are caused by contaminated water. Providing safe drinking water to the people has been a major challenge for Governments in developing countries. Conventional technologies used to disinfect water are: ozonation, chlorination and artificial UV radiation. Treatment to control waterborne microbial contaminants by exposure to sunlight in clear vessels that allows the combined germicidal effects of both UV radiation and heat has been developed and put into practice. >> more
Water – Another View
Pumping more water or increasing water transfer from other areas is not going to solve this problem. Increased pumping and transferring water from further locations increases the need for more power generation and this directly translates into more power plants. For those of us who love our amazing vistas and crystal clear blue skies, the solution to our water needs can’t involve polluting our skies. Clearly, we must look to other solutions to solve our water needs. >> more
Rainwater Catchment System Pump Sizing
Pumps are an integral part of almost all rainwater catchment systems; however, sizing a pump correctly is not straightforward and installers often fail to make the appropriate calculations. Much has been written on pumps for irrigation systems and for wells, but rainwater harvesting pumps can be markedly different. This series of articles is aimed at shedding light on the differences and assisting in properly sizing rainwater pumps. This first article will explain pumps and general pumping concepts >> more
Water: Why Care?
 I get a lot of blank stares when I start talking about water conservation and rainwater harvesting. Not among the folks who already do it here in Northern New Mexico, but from those who don’t. The typical response is “Why should I care? Water is cheap, and all I have to do is turn on the tap and it flows.” While it’s true that water does flow easily, it is even truer that we have yet to pay the true cost of for this precious resource and that cost will only increase in the years to come. >> more
Washington State Department of Ecology Clarifies Water Rights in Regards to Rainwater Harvesting
To the delight of the green building community and many other Washingtonians throughout the state, the Department of Ecology issued a policy statement issued on October 12th clarifying that water rights are not required for either the use of or the on-site storage of rainwater collected by a rooftop system or a guzzler (Guzzlers are devices used to catch and store rainwater and dew to provide wildlife or livestock with drinking water.) >> more
Potable Rainwater: Filtration and Purification
Rainwater harvesting is viewed by many, including the EPA, as a partial solution to the problems posed by water scarcity: droughts and desertification, erosion from runoff, over-reliance on depleted aquifers, and the costs of new irrigation, diversion, and water treatment facilities.
Harvested rainwater in the U.S. is used mostly for irrigation; however, there is a growing interest in using rainwater for drinking and other indoor uses. Over 50% of household water is used indoors; bringing rain indoors could save the expense and environmental costs of treating and transporting water.
Can rainwater be made safe to drink? Yes. How safe? As safe as your well or tap water. How do you make it safe for indoor use? By filtering and purifying it. >> more
Op Ed: The “Greenest” Roof is White and Metallic
 Among the goals of what are called “Green” roofs, vegetated roofs or roof-top gardens are reduced building energy costs and reduced urban-heat islanding. For both goals, white metals roofs are superior, particularly in the “sun belt” where cooling is a year-round task. If needed, the insulating properties of a vegetated roof can generally be provided underneath the roofing layer with radiant barriers or other insulation. But it can also be argued, particularly in the “sun belt,” that excess insulation blocks the advantageous nighttime building-cooling benefit of a metal roof. Insulation aside, this writer believes that the most important disadvantage of a vegetated roof is that it is designed to absorb water that should be collected to meet the needs of the buildings inhabitants. >> more
Ten Strategies to Promote Rainwater Harvesting
In the 1980s and early 90s, most people, especially in urban areas were unaware of what rainwater harvesting (RWH) meant and why there would be a need to collect rainwater. It took an enormous amount of effort working with and speaking to local communities, organizations and state agencies to publicize the need for and benefits of RWH. Based on my experience with RWH during the past 20+ years, I offer the following strategies that can be utilized to promote the technology in your respective state or regions. >> more
American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association and the Dynamics of the US Rainwater Industry
As the United States is being highly affected by the global recession with many industries shrinking in size; one industry is gaining momentum, that being the rainwater industry. Rainwater Catchment Systems in North America are rapidly increasing in popularity. This can be seen through the increase in membership numbers of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) and the increase in the activity through media channels, such as the New York Times, NBC News, National Public Radio and the Associated Press. The critical need for water resources has encouraged educational programs, university extension and research, plus municipal governments to address rainwater harvesting as a viable option to decrease shortages. This has increased businesses related to the rainwater industry and encouraged adoption of rainwater technologies by individuals and commercial enterprises. >> more
Bringing Green Home
 Converting a shed to a home office in Santa Fe, N.M., took time, research and planning, but was worth the effort. By investigating products and working closely with the contractor, the 700-square-foot (65-m2) home office now is in business.
This new, old shed, includes a 1,600 gallon rainwater catchment system.>> more
Water Purification Technology: What is "Green" & What is Not
What constitutes sustainable or "green" technology in water purification systems? For a water treatment solution to be considered green, it must meet the criteria of not adding anything to the water and not using any additional water in the process. This article covers green technologies currently available and the contaminants for which green purification technologies are, and are not, an option. In the marketplace, there is an abundance of "greenwashing" of conventional technology and often a failure to disclose all the parameters of a purification system touted as being environmentally responsible. >> more
A Simple Rainwater Harvesting Design
Australia mandates it. In Tucson’s 100-plus degree summer days, one well-known harvester has created a natural cooling and humidity system using it. Earthships and off-the-grid builders need it to survive. What is it?
It is the next renewable revolution: rainwater harvesting. If you ask old-timers and the Native Americans here in New Mexico, they’ll tell you it is nothing new but merely coming to forefront as we take greater care to use our local resources in economical, sustainable ways. >> more
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly side of Roof Runoff
One aspect of green engineering and sustainable design is how man interacts with the hydrologic cycle. This includes how stormwater runoff is managed  and whether runoff is viewed as a waste product or an opportunity. Rainwater harvesting is a critical component in integrated urban water management. If rainwater harvesting barrels/collection tanks are widely distributed and used in conjunction with other water-sensitive development practices such as low impact development and/or conservation design, a substantial fraction of runoff can be removed from the drainage system. This, in turn, potentially would reduce sewer overflow events and reduce bacterial and other pollutant concentrations in receiving water bodies more>>
Spring Harvest: Rain Barrel Programs Sprouting Across US & Canada
This spring cities and communities all over the US and Canada are rolling out rain barrel programs. For some communities these are new programs while for others they are part of standard water conservation efforts. more>>
Rainwater Harvesting in the UK - Current Practice and Future Trends
Rainwater harvesting (RWH), where nunoff from roofs and impervious areas is collected and utilised, is receiving renewed attention as an alternative water source. However, there are challenges to overcome in the promotion and implementation of RWH in the UK; it is a relatively unproven technology and there are still many concerns to be assuaged. Nevertheless, the situation is beginning to change with welcome moves coming from the Government, the UKRHA and housing developers themselves, in response to an increasingly challenging water resources situation.>> more
The State of Rainwater Harvesting in the U.S
Rainwater catchment or rainwater harvesting (RWH) are catch-all terms for collecting, storing, and later using precipitation from rock out-crops, roofs, and other surfaces. Across the globe, rainwater is used for many purposes, including drinking water, irrigation, aquaculture, air conditioning, groundwater recharge, and fire fighting. It has been utilized for many centuries.
Harvesting rainwater offers many advantages: it conserves municipal and well water; it is free; gravity fed systems conserve energy; it is low in salts and good for plants; and it can reduce flooding and erosion. Rainwater provides an excellent primary, supplementary, or alternative source of water. In terms of quality, it generally falls between groundwater and surface water. Rainwater can be used at multiple scales from residential to commercial and at the neighborhood or community level. >> more
San Francisco Welcomes the Rain
The ancient practice of rainwater harvest is uncommon in urban areas that have municipal water services. Traditional infrastructure treats rainwater as a nuisance that must be disposed of as quickly as possible. However, San Francisco’s Public Utilities Commission has set the stage for rain to become an important resource rather than a waste. The city-wide initiative has all the expected features - discounted rain barrels, how-to guides, and workshops – but that’s just the beginning. Public officials have also laid the foundation for rainwater catchment to play a much bigger role in the city. >> more
Good Water Company Just Got Better
Good Water Company, founded in Santa Fe, NM in 1988, is the oldest  independent water company in Northern New Mexico. Water conservation was the highest priority in this renovation. All plumbing fixtures were selected for their efficiency including waterless urinals, dual flush toilets, and low-flow faucets. Additionally, a rainwater harvesting system was designed and installed to collect rain and snowmelt.
It is the rainwater system that really stands out in the remodel. The most visible aspect of the system is the 20 foot tall, 8,300 gallon galvanized steel tank that dominates the back of the parking lot. But it is only the very tip of the system. >>more
Rainwater Harvesting Regulations
Rainwater Harvesting is exploding and so are the cities, states and other entities involvement with it. This artilce provides a state by state listing of past and current efforts dealing with rainwater and greywater. According to Bob Boulware, P.E., President of Design-Aire Engineering, Inc, Board member and Chair of the committee for ARCSA that is driving these guidelines, the United Nations and countries around the globe are concerned that in the next 10 to 15 years, competition from the increase in the world’s population, along with increased pollution of existing water supplies, will put such a demand on the world’s available fresh water that instability of world governments may occur. This also means that a child starting school today, by the time he graduates from high school, will have trouble finding a clean glass of drinking water. >> more
Pump Systems for Rainwater Catchment
by Verne Wood, CEO of PWS, Inc, Keaau, Hawaii
Understanding how water gets from the catchment tank to the faucet can help people on rainwater catchment systems feel more comfortable with their system and be more self-reliant.
A normal pump system is composed of a pump, a pressure tank, a pressure switch, and a check valve. These main components all work together automatically to supply pressurized water to your point of use.
Catchment pump systems draw water from the tank, pressurize it, and store it in a pressure tank until you need it. There is a one-way valve called a check valve (also called a foot valve) between the water tank and the pump; >> more
Alternative Water Sources
An excellent overview article on the different sources of available water appeared in a recent edition of the Environmental Building News (EBN). The article opens by drawing the case for “alternative sources” due to climate change, growing population and current unsustainable groundwater extractions. It then briefly mentions the need for efficiency and the different uses of water (i.e. potable and nonpotable), but then quickly dives directly into the review of the different sources of “new” water (e.g. graywater, rainwater, air conditioner condensation, mechanical equipment blowdown, treated wastewater, and desalination). >> more
Residential Gutter Sizing
by Doug Pushard
 Gutter sizing is an aspect of rainwater collection that has been studied extensively and can be calculated based on published guidelines in the plumbing codes. With water weighing over 8 pounds a gallon, it poses a very real threat to a house and it’s inhabitants. The weight of rainwater standing on a roof has caused many a roof to collapse, so the gutter/drainage system must be capable of draining the roof fast enough so that the structural limits of the roof are not exceeded. To determine system sizing alternatives, know the roof size that is to be drained. In a typical home with two slopes, each side will have gutters and be sized separately. >> more
Harvest Rain - The Movie
review by Doug Pushard
An extremely very well made DVD by The Cuenca Los Ojos Foundation highlights the connection of rain, surface water and groundwater; and how rain can actually heal the land if properly managed. The foundation works to preserve and restore the biodiversity of the borderland region between the United States and Mexico through land protection, habitat restoration and wildlife reintrodion. This beautiful 30-minute movie, is great for all ages, and depicts the changing of the land with the introduction of passive rainwater catchment, not in decades, but in just a few years. It is a powerful and awe inspiring visual testament to the art of passive rainwater harvesting.>>more
Rainwater Harvesting and Rural Development: The CIDECALLI Prototypes
by Femke Love Oldham
This paper details efforts in Mexico to build prototype systems of various sizes that can supply fresh, clean potable water to households, farms and small communities.
The average annual rainfall across the entire national territory of Mexico is 1,500 cubic kilometers of water. With only 3% of this quantity, there is the ability to supply 13 million people and 50 million animals with clean water. Additionally, this small percentage of the total rainfall would irrigate 18 million hectares of crops. The broad and somewhat surprising potential of rain motivated the creation of the International Center for Demonstration and Training in Rainwater Harvesting (CIDECALLI) and the creation of different size prototypes to create solutions for local communities in Mexico. >>more
Making Raingutters Work!
Why gutter protection should be standard on every home.
 At HPS we receive a lot of requests for information about gutters and how to best take care of them. Rain gutters are quiet but critical components of a building’s roofing system. They have the important job of capturing rainwater at the roof edge then controlling and directing it away from the structure. Uncontrolled water running off the roof and blowing back onto the exterior surfaces can be damaging in a whole host of expensive ways including: flooding, foundation settlement, soil erosion, dryrot, paint damage, window, door and siding damage. >>more
Conveyance - Simple or Complex
by Doug Pushard
 Conveyance, in a rainwater harvesting system (RWH), carries the rain from the roof (i.e. the capture system) to the storage tank (i.e. the holding system). Sounds simple, but it can range from being almost nonexistent to extremely sophisticated and attractive. >> more
Who’s up for drinking some rain?
By Ksenia Prints CUP Central Bureau Chief
In the mad dash to stop global warming and increase conservation, people resort to come crazy ideas. Yet a simple green building initiative called rainwater harvesting helps brings us one step closer to a vibrant and ecological landscape.>> more
Cross Connection
by Caigan McKenzie
The following article is an excerpt of an article that appeared in the Fall 2007 edition of On Tap magazine. Cross connections are a critical system component that may be a requirement for anyone installing a rainwater system more >>
Gentle Irrigation
by Ed Fenzel
First, you need to identify the types of plants in your garden and their watering  requirements. Next, you need to map out the irrigation zones by plant type and function - tree, shrub, groundcover - then note the category - ornamental, native, edible, or container plant. The technical considerations for a drip system are: I) existing pipe size 2) gallons per minute available (also known as your water volume), 3) p.s.i. (pounds per square inch) also known as your water pressure. Under ideal conditions, a 1-inch mainline with 30 p.s.i. and 10 to 12 gallons per minute as your house water source will meet the needs of most homeowners for a drip system. The next, and certainly not the least important, decision is cost. more>>
Local Hero: Water Conservation - To the Extreme
by Doug Pushard
 How low can you go? In a third world country it is not uncommon for a person to live on about 5 gallons a day. In the United States the average is closer to 80 gallons a day. In Western Europe, the average is about 60 gallons a day.
A New Mexico family has taken water conservation to a whole new level. >> more
The Capture System
by Doug Pushard
You have decided to invest in a rainwater harvesting system, but where do you start? What questions do you need to answer before you can build the right system to harvest rainwater? Let’s start with learning how much rain you can collect. A good place to start is the capture system. >> more
Harvesting Rain Downunder
by Doug Pushard
Rainwater harvesting is not just a topic of interest in the arid southwest, or even just parts of the United States; it is a topic of worldwide interest. Sally Dominguez, CEO of Rainwaterhog from Sydney, Australia, was recently in the United States promoting her Rainwaterhog product line; and took a few minutes to talk about the differences in the Australian and US rainwater harvesting markets. >> more
First Flush Devices - A Review
by Doug Pushard
What is a First Flush? Is there one perfect type of First Flush device? Where do I put a First Flush on my rainwater catchment system?
 First Flush or Rain Diverters, as the name implies, flush off the first water of a storm before it enters the storage tank. This is the water that could be the the most contaminated by particulates, bird droppings, and other materials laying on the roof. Eliminating these contaminants before they enter into your storage and conveyance system is critical to keeping rainwater clean. >>more
On the Verge of Water Scarcity
A call for good governance and human ingenuity
A 2007 paper published by the Stockholm International Water Institute overviews the current state of water around the world and recommends policies that governmental and private water companies should embrace to address our emerging water crisis. This report is excellent reading for anyone concerned about or involved in setting water policies. It is also good news for those involved in rainwater harvesting as rainwater catchment is seen as one of the solutions to water scarcity. >>more
Water: Why Care
by Doug Pushard
I must admit I get a lot of blank stares when I start talking about water conservation and rainwater harvesting. Not among the folks who already do it, but from those who don’t. The typical response is “Why should I care? Water is cheap, and all I have to do is turn on the tap and it flows.” While it’s true that water does flow easily, it is even truer that we have not yet had to pay the true cost for this precious resource. >>more
Rainwater Harvesting - Pumps or Pressure Tanks
by Doug Pushard
If you are building or planning to install a rainwater collection system, water pressure (i.e. water line pressure) is one of the main issues you need to think about. There one several ways to achieve water pressure when you turn on the faucet. If gravity does not work for you, you will need to install a pump and there are several options to consider, some new and some old. >>more
Rainwater Harvesting & Plumbing Codes
Ever wonder why solar panels and solar hot water systems are growing at a much faster rate than Rainwater Harvesting systems. Maybe it is due to standardized electrical codes that provide consistency and training to thousands of electricians across the country; no similar standards exists for rainwater catchment systems.
Read a reprint of Susan R. Ecker excellent article in Plumbing Engineer to get the full picture. >>more
Local Pioneer: Free Rain, Free Watering and
Exercise All in One
by Doug Pushard
 Always looking to do more with less? Like help the environment and getting exercise at the same time? Well Larry Gilg did, and he found a way: "I hooked a water pump to a bicycle trainer and use it to pump water out of my rainwater system." Watering his yard, totally for FREE and getting exercise at the same time. Read how>>
Rainwater Catchment Systems May be Better than the Big Pipe!
by Doug Pushard
 In a recent research project by Brad Crowley, home-based cisterns were compared against the $1.4 billion “Big Pipe” program to upgrade the current Portland, OR combined storm water and sewer system. At stake is a way to reduce the estimated 2.8 billion gallons of raw sewage and stormwater that is dumped annually into the Willamette river.
Is Rainwater Really Safe?
by Doug Pushard
Water quality is an extremely hot topic these days. With continued population growth and strained water supplies it is likely to become even more so. It is estimated that already one in five homes have some type of water filtration or purification system installed. How safe is rainwater compared to alternatives. more>
Free Rain
by Doug Pushard
 High Tech, Hands Off Rainwater Collection
Even though our yard is planted with mostly native vegetation adapted to our hot Austin, Texas, climate it requires watering to keep it healthy and lush. We use a drip irrigation system for watering, which is more efficient tha using sprinklers.
Read in the latest edition of Home Power (Home Power 115 October/November 2006) about the exact system I installed in Austin, Texas. The article includes great schematics and links to suppliers.
Going Green is Building
by Doug Pushard
There is a growing focus on controlling energy and monthly costs in homes and commercial buildings. Now, there is new emphasis on controlling water usage. In drier parts of the country, such as the Southwest and parts of the Pacific Northwest, freshwater sources are rapidly diminishing. This dilemma has influenced the building and design industries to create innovative methods of water conservation or so called ”water-cycle management” more>
Drinking Water, Is it Safe?
by Doug Pushard
How safe is your water? The EPA regulates tap water, but how well do they do their job? Read a comprehensive study on the U.S. water supply done by the independent Environmental Working Group. more>
Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands, Volume I
 Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands, Volume 1, is a recently published book by Brad Lancaster. It is a practical guide to holistic rainwater management; featuring not just information on rainwater harvesting, but also covers site planning, water conservation strategies and much, much more. The 181 page manual is jammed packed with examples, stories, data and illustrations.
Before You Harvest - Conserve
by Doug Pushard
Water conservation can pay big dividends. Not only can it save you money every month, it reduces your impact on the planet and can make you feel better. All without a major change in your lifestyle.
Is
it Time to Upgrade from Rain Barrels to Tanks?
by Doug Pushard
So, you're catching rainwater into barrels, helping the environment, and saving a bit of money on your monthly water bill as an added bonus. Great idea.
How
Safe is Drinking Water from a Tank?
A
PDF download written by Australia's John Payne, the founder of
Enviro-Friendly Products. The article looks at how safe harvesting rainwater is. Download here
>>
 Local
Pioneer: Jody Drew's Home-Made Water
by
Doug Pushard
Have
you ever dreamed about living off the grid and enjoying a totally
self-sufficient lifestyle in a house you helped build? Jody
Drew is living her dream, including rainwater harvesting. more
>>
 The
Willow School: Teaching Sustainability
by Doug Pushard
The
first thing that you notice at The Willow School is the
closeness of nature to each classroom. Each room has its own door
so children can move outside at a moment's notice, and the ample
windows draw the outside into the room. Preserving the natural
beauty of the area, the grounds design features include many outdoor
learning spaces and constructed wetlands for water conservation and filtration of
wastewater. more
>>
 Rain
Chains: The Art of Collecting Rainwater by
Doug Pushard
Though
few would argue that downspouts effectively direct water from
the gutter to the collecting tank, would we agree that they add
to the aesthetic appeal of a landscape? Probably not. Fortunately,
for people who wish to transcend function for form, there is another
option. Rain chains ('Kusari doi' in Japanese) offer a
highly attractive and unique alternative to traditional downspouts to harvest rainwater.
more
>>
Local
Pioneer: Billy Kniffen - The 2 1/2 Minute Shower Man
by Doug Pushard
When
Billy Kniffen and his wife, Mary, bought their five acre lot in
West Texas in 2003 with the idea of building their log cabin dream
home, there was one basic necessity missing: water - no city water
access and ground water of questionable quality. Billy gazed up
at the sky and the obvious solution sprinkled down on him - harvest rainwater from the sky! more >>
Everything
You Need to Know about Ultraviolet Water Purification
by John Mone
Ultraviolet
radiation is capable of destroying all types of bacteria, rapidly
and without the use of heat or chemical additives which may undesirably
alter the composition of water. It is a great solution for cleaning rainwater. more >>
Action
Learning at Florida House: A Rainwater Harvesting Case Study
by Doug Pushard
 The
Florida House Learning Center is a demonstration home and
yard featuring an environmentally-friendly building along with
rainwater harvesting and sustainable landscaping materials and
methods. Designed to be a "Model Florida Yard,"
Florida House showcases the use of native and drought-tolerant
plants, xeriscaping, rainwater harvesting, pervious walkways, and
other ways to reduce detrimental run-off into Florida's estuaries
and bays.
more >>
Rainwater
Harvesting: Comparing Storage Solutions
by Doug Pushard
Storage
tanks, usually the most expensive component of the rainwater harvesting
system, come in a wide variety of sizes and types. Here is an
overview to help you decide on the type of tank to us, the main
factors being the supply of rainwater and your budget.
Alternatives
covered include: fiberglass, polypropylene, below-ground
polypropylene, cement, ferrocement,
stone, and wood. more >>
The
Secret to Successful Rainwater Harvesting:
Floating Filters
by Doug Pushard
As
the name implies, a floating filter, or extractor, floats in the
water in the tank and its sole purpose is to intake water from
the calm, clean, rainwater that is in the middle of the tank.
more >>
 A
Benchmark for Zero Water Use in Commercial Building:
Melbourne's
60L
by Doug Pushard
As
the trend toward environmental awareness continues in both the
private and public sector, more and more zero and low-impact buildings
are being designed and built. Most of these projects are focused
primarily on electrical energy usage, with water use as an afterthought.
This is especially so for commercial buildings - with one noteable
exception: the 60L office building in Melbourne, Australia,
which was designed with water efficiency as an integral part of
the design. more >>
Local
Hero: Hawaii's Guru of Water Catchment - Trisha Macomber
by Doug Pushard
If
you live in Hawaii, you're lucky. Trisha Macomber at the
University of Hawaii is the guru of rain harvesting
systems in Hawaii.
more
>>
Rainwater
Harvesting: Explosive Growth Across The US
by Trish Donahue and Doug Pushard
There are as many reasons for the growth of rainwater harvesting
as there are communities promoting and implementing such programs
around the U.S.- from Hawaii to Florida. more
>>
Op-Ed:
Worldwide Water Conservation Can't Wait
by Doug Pushard and Christian Sarkar
Americans
hear a lot about the drought that we are experiencing in the southwest
and other parts of the United States, but we rarely hear about
dry conditions in other parts of the world and what others are
doing about it. more
>>
Teach
Your Children:
Santa Fe Children's Museum
by Doug Pushard
The Santa Fe Children's Museum features a water play set,
a water garden, water fountains and an extensive water catchment
system. The goal is to teach children about water conservation.
more
>>
Local Heroes: City of Olympia Water Conservation Program Covers
All Bases
by Doug Pushard
Why would an area that gets over 50 inches of rain a year, has
very mild weather and seemingly ready access to unlimited water
need a water conservation program and promote rainwater harvesting? more
>>
Rainwater
Harvesting in Taos
by Doug Pushard
In
the Taos area both commercial and private home builders
are proactively adopting rain catchment systems, reusing greywater
and xeriscaping.
more >>
 Swales
& Berms vs Concrete: Low Tech Solutions for Stormwater Runoff
by
Doug Pushard
Swales
and berms are still used around the world but have been all but
forgotten here in the United States as a way to conserve water.
Time to take a closer look at this natural alternative to concrete!
more >>
 Local
Hero: Dick Peterson & Austin's Green Building Program
by Doug Pushard
Austin,
the capital of Texas, home of the University of Texas and whose
unofficial motto is “Keep Austin Weird”, is the center
of the green movement in Texas. One man leads the charge-
Dick Peterson, Environmental Program Coordinator at Austin
Energy. more>>
 Austin's
Zilker Park Showcases Rainwater Harvesting
by Doug Pushard
Zilker Park, in the heart of downtown Austin, is set to become
the prime rainwater harvesting demonstration site for the City
of Austin. more>>
The
Drying of Nevada: Conservation Key to Future
by Joseph Littbarski
Southern Nevada is in the midst of the "ugliest drought" the Colorado
River Basin had experienced in 1400 years. more>>
 Green
Banking: New Mexico's Permaculture Credit Union
by Doug Pushard
The history of financial institutions is one of focus on the bottom
line which results in overexploitation of the earth's resources.
In New Mexico, however, we found a new kind of financial institution,
one dedicated to green banking. more>>
 Marking
World Water Day, UN to launch Water for Life Decade
by Michael Nettles
To spur efforts by governments and civil society to meet agreed
targets on halving the number of people lacking access to safe
drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015, the United Nations
is launching the international Water for Life Decade on
World Water Day-
22 March, 2005. more>>
Water
Activism: Organizations Making a Difference
by Christian Sarkar
It's World Water Day 2005 and what have you done?
For those of you who emailed HarvestH20.com asking us about
them, here's a list you can use. see
also: worldwaterday2005.org
and this article: Water
scarcity, contamination could become wave of the future.
 Oregon
School Showcases Demo Rainwater System
by Doug Pushard
The DaVinci Living Water Garden project is a collaboration
between DaVinci Arts Middle School and Urban Water Works,
a non-profit organization. The goal of the project is to educate
students and citizens about storm water runoff and water quality,
while also using the arts to celebrate the aesthetic properties
of water.
 Montana,
Idaho Drought to Continue… Could Harvesting Rain Help?
by Doug Pushard
Low
snowpack levels currently being recorded through the end of January
2005 across shortages North Central Idaho and western Montana
could forecast water later again this summer. Here are some resources...
Rainbarrel
101: What is a Rainbarrel?
by
Jim Graves
A rain barrel is a system that collects and stores rainwater from
your roof that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted
to storm drains and streams. Includes a downloadable
schematic: "How to Build a Rainbarrel"
Designing
a High-Tech, Hands-Off Rainwater System
by Doug Pushard
 Even
though our yard is planted with native vegetation adapted to our
hot Austin, Texas, climate, it requires some watering to
keep it healthy and lush. We use a drip irrigation system for
watering, which is more efficient than using sprinklers, but this
small city yard still consumes lots of water during our long,
sweltering summers... Here's a step-by-step account of how I built
my rainwater harvesting system to beat those hot Texas
summers and kept my garden green more>>
Local
Heroes: Albuquerque's Aggresive Water Programs Make A Difference
by Steve Miller
Albuquerque,
a city in the arid Southwestern United States, has grown by 120,000
residents in the last 20 years but consumed less water last
year than in any previous year since 1985. Did rainwater harvesting help? Here's
how they did it. more>>
Extreme
Swings in Climate Cycles Could Jeopardize the Socioeconomic Stability
in the Northern Great Plains Region
by Joseph Littbarski
Recently
completed studies reconstructing the historical climatic trends
for the last 2000 years in the northern Great Plains show
that frequent alternating climatic cycles of drought and wet periods
are typical for this area. The results of this study suggest that
this region is likely to experience a significant drought within
the next few decades. more>>
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