Water Harvesting Classes

Carmen and Barbara with rain barrel.
Photo by Anna Lands

Water Harvesting Classes

In 2009, the Redington NRCD and Conservation Education Center sponsored a series of classes on water harvesting. Classes were conducted by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. A financial contribution was made by the District to help offset tuition costs for local individuals who wanted to participate in the program. The following was written by Anna Lands, one of the participants in the program:

Installing gutters. Photo by Anna Lands	In early 2009, the Redington NRCD and the Community Center joined to establish a rainwater harvesting demonstration site at the Community Center. The intention of this joint effort was for the initial class to develop plans for and manifest first phases of an on-going rainwater harvesting educational experience for the community. These students will have expertise and reading materials available for others and will, along with the larger community, continue to develop this demonstration site. The project is intended to assist property owners in learning more about erosion control and developing their own rain water catchment systems. The NRCD Education Center gave major funding to the education phase so that the attendees needed to pay only $35.00 each for the class. The Community Center funds the physical materials at the Center for the catchment system. Our first step, led by Jess Rigel was to organize core classes and to engage the U of A Extension Service WaterWise educator, Carmen Miller. She would facilitate and guide us through the Rainwater Harvesters Certificate Program.
After learning how to determine the annual amount of water we could expect on each roof surface and the annual amount of water we would need for landscaping and other uses, we calculated the maximum amount of water we would need for any given month. From that, we calculated the size(s) of the water collectors we would need, and how much augmenting water we would need from the well during any given month. The water-budgeting element is an essential part of good planning: landscaping, size and number of storage containers, size of gutters, types of water catchments such as earthen berms, straw wattles, and loose rock dams.	Berms. Photo by Anna Lands
The first step in constructing the system was to calculate the slope needed and install a gutter the length of the porch. When the storage barrel is ready for installation, the downspout will be shortened to accommodate it. The barrel will have two drainage types: direct outflow with a faucet and an interior overflow to send water out via piping to be caught by the berms over a large area. Another essential element in creating a successful water catchment system is to observe and be responsive to the topography and geography: how water behaves over slopes and soil types. Some folks understand it instinctively, and this class was an exercise in discovering how we know. We learned how to determine why and where what types of water ‘ calmers to use.
On the hill behind the MTE building, we installed several loose rock dams and three straw wattles. Much more work is needed on this hill, but we gave it a good start. This is one of the long-term project areas Larry Scott of Benson brought his home-made laser leveling equipment and demonstrated how to create a low-cost sophisticated instrument. Using his equipment, we determined a level height for two berms and for a shallow, flat-bottomed water catchment. After the berms and catchment bowl were marked, one of the several contributing community members brought a small front loader and did the heavy earth-moving work including augering holes for three trees. The new and existing trees will eventually provide an extended shaded area adjacent to and west of the porch. They will receive more water than ever because all water, from rain and well, will be directed more effectively. We took care in selecting trees that grow locally and that, once established, will require only low maintenance.	Getting ready for trees.
To learn more about Rain Water Harvesting, you may visit the Water Wise website at www.ag.arizona.edu/cochise/waterwise Many thanks to the Redington NRCD and to the Cascabel Community Center for their support.

Redington Natural Resource Conservation District P.O. Box 232 Pomerene, Arizona 85627

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