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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
Our ancestors understood that water was the difference between life and death. Those who lived in hotter, drier, harsher, or less predictable climates developed a variety of ways to save and provide water for entire communities.
Some of these are in terrible disrepair after hundreds or thousands of years of neglect, but the fact that their remnants can still be found, and some are still functional is a testament to their efficacy.
According to a South African case study, "Small, local solutions can crack water crises"
The following sections explore a variety of ways, both ancient and new which have are helping people collect water even as our water cycle becomes increasingly disrupted.
Before you get started on any project, always be careful to check your local legal codes and policies. Some types of water harvesting are forbidden in certain places for a variety of reasons.
Dams and other large water capturing projects may be banned as stopping or redirecting water may take away from others in the area.
Groundwater extraction such as wells may be banned because ground water levels have dropped dangerously low, and are causing potentially lethal ground subsidence.
Some water capturing methods may pose a hazard if they overflowed or broke, so proper site investigation and materials should be used.
North America
North America
You may also be interested in reading about:
Learn about which activities use the most water, to develope a plan on curring your own water footprint. In many cases consuming less will have a greater impact than harvesting water, though water collection may be your first step in your water conservation journey.
Ancient Water Harvesting Methods
Ancient Water Harvesting Methods
Higher Altitude Harvesting
Higher Altitude Harvesting
"A dew pond is an artificial pond usually sited on the top of a hill, intended for watering livestock. Dew ponds are used in areas where a natural supply of surface water may not be readily available. The name dew pond (sometimes cloud pond or mist pond) is first found in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society in 1865. Despite the name, their primary source of water is believed to be rainfall rather than dew or mist."
"They are usually shallow, saucer-shaped and lined with puddled clay, chalk or marl on an insulating straw layer over a bottom layer of chalk or lime. To deter earthworms from their natural tendency of burrowing upwards, which in a short while would make the clay lining porous, a layer of soot would be incorporated or lime mixed with the clay. The clay is usually covered with straw to prevent cracking by the sun and a final layer of chalk rubble or broken stone to protect the lining from the hoofs of sheep or cattle. To retain more of the rainfall, the clay layer could be extended across the catchment area of the pond. If the pond's temperature is kept low, evaporation (a major water loss) may be significantly reduced, thus maintaining the collected rainwater. According to researcher Edward Martin, this may be attained by building the pond in a hollow, where cool air is likely to gather, or by keeping the surrounding grass long to enhance heat radiation. As the water level in the basin falls, a well of cool, moist air tends to form over the surface, restricting evaporation." - Wikiwand: Dew Pond
Ice Stupas
Ice Stupas
Traditional Stone Stupas were built from stone sometimes with a metal piece on top. You can still find examples of high-altitude stupas encrusted with ice, however the modern versions are lighter, easier to build, and seem to be more effective than their predecessors.
Recently a new version was developed: "The ice stupa is created using no power or pumps, only physics: "the ingredients are a downstream, an upstream and a gradient," says Wangchuk.
The freezing air temperature does the rest, immediately crystallizing the water droplets into ice that falls right below, forming a cone.
Puquios
Puquios
Nasca Puquios and Aqueducts (PDF)
These puzzling holes in the arid valleys of southern Peru tell us there was once a flourishing, sophisticated society here.
Rock Catchments
Rock Catchments
Harvesting Rainwater with Rock Catchments in Kenya (8.40min Video)
"In Marsabit County, Northern Kenya, Caritas Switzerland has, together with communities, constructed three rock catchment systems. In this region, there are no permanent rivers and the dry seasons can get severe. Moreover, not all groundwater sources are suitable for human consumption and people often rely on scarce and mostly unprotected water sources. Only about 35% of the population have access to safe water."
"The rock catchments collect rainwater from large bare rock surfaces before it gets channeled to storage tanks. The three systems serve 3,500 people and can store a total of 2.34 million litres of water per rainy season. This covers for approximately three months of human water consumption."
Life Expectancy: unknown
Pro: Uses natural processes to capture rain water, and store it in large cisterns for future use. Owner ship is given to a trained individual who accepts payment from community members that go towards maintenance and repairs of the system.
Con: Requires rain to recharge. Payment system may exclude people who need water most.
Solution:
Fuel Types: Water Cycle + Gravity
Harvesting on Slopes
Harvesting on Slopes
The following focus more on systems to boost soil permeability, rather than harvesting drinking or irrigation water. By sequestering water within the soil, we can (to an extent) remove the need for irrigation.
Systems such as swales double as a measure to sequester water in the soil, and when full enough, they can help transport excess water to a secondary location such as body of water, a rain garden, or regular flowerbeds.
Plants to Increase Permeability
Plants to Increase Permeability
Native Grasses
Native Grasses
Every species is different, but those which evolved to live in hot, dry countries have developed very deep root systems. By planting in swale-like patterns landscapers can help create a non-intrusive, water catchment system which will improve water infiltration into the soil.
This system is ideal for creating a tree nursery, where tree-planting projects may easily fail due to harsh weather and/or lack of easily-transportable water.
How to Reforest a Steep Slope Without Swales or Irrigation
12:35 minute video shows how native grasses can be planted in lines or curves to help slow down water enough to help it penetrate a hillside slope without disrupting the soil integrity.
The lady explains her choices of native tree species interplanted within the native grass, how the evergreens provide shade and protection to the rainforest species. She explains how the grasses help protect her saplings from freezing and baking hot weather. However she comes along periodically to weed away vines and grasses to prevent them from strangling the saplings, then uses the weeded materials as free mulch to further lock in moisture.
This example is in Australia so she also explains how the different species will support local natives including koalas.
Earthworks
Earthworks
Key Lines
Key Lines
Swales
Swales
Trees
Trees
Tree cover of around 30% was found to provide
Rooftop Harvesting
Rooftop Harvesting
"Civilisations in the Indus Valley were far more advanced than we may think nowadays. In many of the ancient cities that still remain, we can still find huge vats that were cut into the rock to collect water when there was torrential rainfall. These were used to keep the population and local vegetation going in hotter, dryer times and were fed by numerous stone gullies that weaved their way through the city. Some of these rock vats are still used today in parts of India. Another technique that has been used for hundreds of years in India is to build water harvesting systems on top of the roofs of houses. It’s a simple technology that has spread across the world, particularly to countries such as Brazil and China." - History of Rainwater Harvesting
Modern rooftop harvesting options are much more diverse now including passive and powered systems, green vs non-green solutions, with sealants to help convert existing roofs into green roofs, while still preventing water damage.
How safe is roof-water to drink?
How safe is roof-water to drink?
Rainwater Research in Australia & New Zealand This research shares a lot of information about the basics of how beneficial increased use of collected rain water would help fulfill our water needs, and that as long as the suggested safety measures are followed "You are more likely to contract illness from drinking mains water compared to rainwater." then it explains the main sources of contamination and disease including lack of proper maintenance. "In South Australia, 42% of residents mostly drink rainwater in preference to mains water without any apparent effect on the incidence of gastrointestinal illness (Heyworth et al. 1998)."
Green Roofs
Green Roofs
Historically, sod roofs were lines with birch bark for it's water repellent properties, before sod was applied on top to provide insulation. Green roofs use plants to absorb rain, instead of adding to run off. The plants absorb carbon, provide additional insulation for us, but also provide habitat and food for wildlife.
Community Accessible & Ground Level
Community Accessible & Ground Level
Air Well (Condensers)
Air Well (Condensers)
Khadin
Khadin
These have been used for over 5,000 years, and some ancient remnants of them still visible in places like Peru and India.
Traditional Water Harvesting: Khadin System 1:42 minute demo
Life Expectancy: centuries with little maintenance
Pro: Uses natural such as rocks and dirt, rainfall, and gravity. This makes them cheap and easy to construct
Con: A lot of water can be lost to evaporation.
Solution: Modern versions of condensers work much better, using active components like fans to boost efficiency.
Fuel Types: Water cycle + gravity
Stepwells/Bawaries/Baolis
Stepwells/Bawaries/Baolis
India's ancient stepwells (which go by many regional names) have been a vital source of water, as well as a gathering point for communities to wash, relax, communicate, and participate in religious rituals. They fell out of use after British colonization. As plumbing became more available, these amazing stepwells were increasingly considered "unsanitary" which increased their loss of popularity, and eventually led to their decline as people forgot about their value, and started to use them as landfills.
As droughts and water shortages become increasingly dire, some communities are rediscovering their ancestors solution to survival, and are taking it upon themselves to revitalize these ingenious water management systems. During the monsoon season, rain water fills these massive reservoirs, and for the rest of the year, clean drinking water stays in the community the stepwell serves.
SUDS
SUDS
SUDs are systems that help guide water once it has made contact with the ground, including swales, water gardens, road-side drainage, dams, reservoirs, etc. There will be another post on this massive topic later, but until then, the following talks about simple, practical ways to get started on the topic.
Peru’s ancient water systems can help protect communities from shortages caused by climate change.
Life Expectancy: 35-1,000s of years with proper maintenance.
Pro: Safely diverts fallen precipitation and flood water to less problematic locations, allowing water to be harvested or diverted to wetlands.
Con: Can cause serious flooding problems if not maintained, and blockages form. This is most likely if debris from a previous storm was not cleared out before the next (sometimes lesser) rain/flood event.
Solution: Ensure proper maintenance including de-clogging, dredging, trash removal, and invasive plant removal.
Fuel Types: Water Cycle + Gravity.
Practical Information & Guides
Practical Information & Guides
Public Lecture Series about Green Schoolyards includes information on how school yard s can double to work with storm water management - Green Schools America
Ocean Friendly Gardens Ocean-friendly gardening means reducing our impact starting with our own gardens or even farm land. This means rain won't wash off chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or animal waste, which harms streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and finally our oceans.
Rain Water Harvesting Techniques to Augment Ground Water This guides includes diagrams and photos.
We have a huge file of notes on landscaping practices to help slow and sequester rainwater. Please check back here in the future, as we are planning to include a link to that information here, once it is available!
Complimentary Options
Complimentary Options
Rain Barrels/Butts & Cisterns
Rain Barrels/Butts & Cisterns
Today we can still find examples of ancient cisterns, but today's models often contain synthetic parts including washers which help prevent leaks, but mush be replaced over time. Modern alternatives include metal, plastic, and other materials which are more portable than ancient versions.
Life Expectancy: 20 years.
Pro: Safely stores rain or grey water for later use.
Con: An turn into a breeding ground for mosquitoes, or be contaminated with dead animals that can fall/get trapped inside. I've found dead frogs who might have hatched but not been able to get out. Dead leaves can build up, leaching tannins into the water.
Solution: Install fixtures that will help keep wildlife and leaves out of the system. Make sure to clean these to prevent plugging and backups. Empty and clean out the container periodically.
Fuel Types: Water Cycle + Gravity
Water Recycling
Water Recycling
Toilet to Tap Water Recycling
Toilet to Tap Water Recycling
Many of us are unaware if our communities already use this system, but as water shortages increase, ground water disappears, and rivers dry up, more are turning to water recycling to ensure citizens have enough for daily activities.
Some of the resources below specifically focus on creating potable water, while others simply focus on reducing pollutants before releasing waste water back into waterways, where down-stream neighbors may use it for drinking, bathing, and irrigation.
These systems often use reservoirs and grate systems to settle and remove solids.
The more expensive systems use technology, chemicals, and specialize filtration systems. The cheaper type can involve nothing more than a channel and some wetland plants, though dividers with removable grates can help increase their effectiveness, allow for safer/easier maintenance (such as clearing out rubbish or branches that might be causing backups).
The second type can be build by anyone including farmers wanting to prevent livestock waste from becoming dangerous run off, or a small family ensuring waste from a latrine or septic system has extra time to break down before potentially seeping into ground water. Here is a PDF presentation: "Phytorid Technology and Implemented Projects Across India" which shows the benefits for water quality, as well as the simplicity which could make such systems a practical solution for communities around the world.
Life Expectancy: ___________
Pro: Reduces overall water use by recycling used water.
Con: Often requires electricity, filters, and chemicals to process waste into safe drinking water. There is an "ick factor" which can make people hesitant about this option.
Solution: Wetland plants can be used to naturally reduce nitrites and other problematic chemicals. Passive system design can help remove sediments with gravity instead of electricity, meaning that the system will be able to work even in the event of grid failure or for places that don't have grid access.
Fuel Types: Fossil fuels, renewables, and/or gravity.
Nallah Biological Solutions
Nallah Biological Solutions
Nallah | Sewage treatment plant | Constructed Wetland | STP | Green STP | Natural Treatment System 4:24 minute video shows the design and plants used to naturally clean water before it is released back into waterways.
This 3:01 minute video is in English and Hindi, demonstrating how a plant-powered sewage treatment plant can successfully clean sewage without electricity.
Non-Recommended Methods
Non-Recommended Methods
These methods should generally be avoided or (at the very least) used with caution.
Wells
Wells
How Wells & Aquafers Actually Work
How Wells & Aquafers Actually Work
14:12 minute video shows how both water and pollution can move through soil, gravel, sand, and rocks. Other dangers like erosion, land subsidence, and injection wells (putting water back into the ground) are also covered.
Life Expectancy: 20-30 years depending on maintenance vs sediment buildup. There are some wells that are over 100 years old, but these are generally indoor wells, or wells that started outside and later had a building built around it.
Pro: Can take advantage of clean water readily available below ground.
Con: Ground water is increasingly contaminated by livestock waste, PFAS, fossil fuels, landfill seepage, mining and fracking waste. When many people use wells in an area, the ground level begins to sink and the entire aquifer can run out of water, leaving everyone without a personal or backup supply.
Solution: If you use or rely on ground water, you should absolutely incorporate water harvesting methods to help recharge the well. We'll have more about this on our Ground Recharge page, when it is finished.
Fuel Types: Water cycle + gravity.
Quanat
Quanat
"In the Maghreb, qanats are called foggara; Moroccons call them khettara; the people of the Persian Gulf call them falaj; a Persian synonym is karez." - https://www.livius.org/articles/misc/qanat/
Quanats have been built since at least the Iron and Bronze Ages, but are suspected to be even older. They are essentially horizontal wells, with a line of shafts dug down allowing air flow, sand and dirt removal, and to prevent the bottom/horizontal tunnel from becoming dangerously long. The tunnel starts where the ground it damp or another known source of water such as a lake in a cave exists. The other end generally becomes a shallow ditch as it approaches it's destination. They need to be serviced every spring to remove debris. A dangerous job that was traditional done by young boys with their fathers nearby to rescue them if there was a collapse.
"Being about 1½ meter high and ¾ meter wide, qanats are rather narrow, but they can reach depths of 30 meters (the record seems to be 60) and can cover distances of many kilometers (the longest Iranian qanat is said to be 70 kilometers long.) The trick is to make the angle of the qanat not too steep, because in that case, the water will grind itself down into the bottom and create pools that will make the qanat collapse; on the other hand, if the angle is not steep enough, the water will be tainted. Everything depends, therefore, on the correct angle. The diggers or muqannis were brilliant surveyors. " - https://www.livius.org/articles/misc/qanat/
These can have a very long lifespan if properly built and maintained, but has been placed in the Not Recommended section because of the reliance on groundwater which is currently under threat from over-extraction and pollution from agriculture, factories, etc.
Pro: No pumps or energy needed to move water.
Con: Animals and people can fall into the holes, debris and dead animals can contaminate water, plus ground water issues may make this a potentially problematic option. Angle of slope is vital to attain a safe rate of water flow, and to control erosion.
Solution: Concrete quanats might reduce erosion and maintenance costs. Robotic cleaners might provide people with jobs minus the danger of fatal structure collapse.
Resources: Natural rock channel or concrete. Gravity, natural air flow, and ground water.
Tools & Resources
Tools & Resources
Landscaping Know-How
Landscaping Know-How
Greener LAND "This tool helps you decide which landscape interventions are best suited towards landscape restoration for the landscape you operate in. Start by selecting the characteristics of your landscape on your left."
Organizations
Organizations
International
International
WASH "curriculum has been developed and integrated in schools (Shikshaniketan, Residential Bridge Schools & Solar Bridge Schools) run by Barefoot College International. Every year, new activities and methods are included which makes learning interactive. Area covered include Water, Sanitation, Health, Hygiene and Environment."
Africa
Africa
WASH "curriculum has been developed and integrated in schools (Shikshaniketan, Residential Bridge Schools & Solar Bridge Schools) run by Barefoot College International. Every year, new activities and methods are included which makes learning interactive. Area covered include Water, Sanitation, Health, Hygiene and Environment."
Asia
Asia
India
India
Rainwater Project "So far, Rainwater Project has restored six historic water structures in Telangana — Kokapet Well, Goshala Well, Kondapur Well, Gachibowli, Baaram Bavi and Bansilalpet Well." "It also offers rainwater harvesting and water conservation consultancy services for individual homes, gated communities, farms, resorts, schools and other institutions." - Kalpana Ramesh: The architect leading restoration of Telangana’s historic stepwells
The SVP-NGO Partnership "SVP India, through its chapters, gives financial grants and mentoring support to NGOs working primarily in the areas of livelihood, employment, and income generation.
SVP typically provides a grant of Rs 10 – 15 lac per annum to the NGO. However, the greater benefit for our investee organizations lies in leveraging the time, skills, and expertise of the SVP partner group, the value of which can easily be 3 – 5x of the financial support.
Our partners act as mentors, supporting the founder and top management of the NGO to achieve their goals. We provide strategic guidance, as well as open our networks to the NGO, removing roadblocks in order to accelerate the growth of our investee NGOs.
SVP’s unique model allows for both financial, and non-financial support of qualifying NGOs."WASH "curriculum has been developed and integrated in schools (Shikshaniketan, Residential Bridge Schools & Solar Bridge Schools) run by Barefoot College International. Every year, new activities and methods are included which makes learning interactive. Area covered include Water, Sanitation, Health, Hygiene and Environment."
Europe
Europe
UK
UK
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust works (among many other activities) to restore dewponds and educate others in how to do the same.
North America
North America
WASH "curriculum has been developed and integrated in schools (Shikshaniketan, Residential Bridge Schools & Solar Bridge Schools) run by Barefoot College International. Every year, new activities and methods are included which makes learning interactive. Area covered include Water, Sanitation, Health, Hygiene and Environment."
Mexico
Mexico
Isla Urbana "has designed an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable rainwater harvesting system that collects and cleans rainwater for households, schools, and health clinics.
The system is inexpensive, easy to install, and provides individual residences with about 40% of their annual water supply. If implemented on a large scale throughout Mexico City, this simple technology could provide 30% of the city’s water and help give a sustainable water source to the 12 million Mexicans who lack access to clean water."
USA
USA
American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA). Offers trainings and accreditation for rainwater installers. They also have a comprehensive list of rainwater resources here.
DigDeep "Water-storage barrels with pumps or household rainwater catchment solutions to reduce the reliance on single-use bottled drinking water in Chichiltah, NM, supported by community education around plastic pollution and sustainable alternatives to bottled water."
Watershed Management Group. (Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona). Offers classes, a “water harvesting coop”and more.
Oceana
Oceana
WASH "curriculum has been developed and integrated in schools (Shikshaniketan, Residential Bridge Schools & Solar Bridge Schools) run by Barefoot College International. Every year, new activities and methods are included which makes learning interactive. Area covered include Water, Sanitation, Health, Hygiene and Environment."
South America
South America
WASH "curriculum has been developed and integrated in schools (Shikshaniketan, Residential Bridge Schools & Solar Bridge Schools) run by Barefoot College International. Every year, new activities and methods are included which makes learning interactive. Area covered include Water, Sanitation, Health, Hygiene and Environment."
Maps
Maps
North America
North America
USA
USA
Stormwater Management and Restoration Tracking (SMART) Tool (Interactive) Tool tracks storm water management practices in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed which spans, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia
Grants & Funding
Grants & Funding
Oceana
Oceana
Australia
Australia
Western Australia
The Sustainability Grants Program (in the City of Cockburn) "offers funding for projects related to six sustainability themes. Open to small businesses, schools, not-for-profits, and collective households, successful applicants can receive up to $4,000 for their project."
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Related Topics
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