CisternsCisterns and other and other water storage strategieswater storage strategies

BJ Jarvis, Pasco County BJ Jarvis, Pasco County Extension Director/Horticulture AgentExtension Director/Horticulture Agent

Master Gardener Statewide ConferenceMaster Gardener Statewide ConferenceOctober, 2010October, 2010

Water Shortage: ItWater Shortage: It’’s a matter s a matter of WHEN, not IFof WHEN, not IF

Reservoirs Reservoirs -- not commonnot common

Sources of WaterSources of Water20% from surface water20% from surface waterAbout 80% from groundwater sourcesAbout 80% from groundwater sourcesSmall percentageSmall percentage

Aquifer Storage and RecoveryAquifer Storage and RecoveryReservoirsReservoirsReclaimed WaterReclaimed Water

Only one is cheapOnly one is cheap

FloridaFlorida’’s Water Sourcess Water Sources

FloridaFlorida’’s Water Storys Water StoryWhy care about conservation?Why care about conservation?

Limited water resourcesLimited water resourcesSaltwater intrusionSaltwater intrusionDroughtsDroughts

Beneficial use of hydrologic cycleBeneficial use of hydrologic cycleOld technology gains new lifeOld technology gains new life

Why Do Gardeners Care?Why Do Gardeners Care?Up to 50% of water use is outdoorsUp to 50% of water use is outdoorsIrrigating Irrigating ¼¼ acre five times = a acre five times = a lifetime of waterlifetime of waterDecreased water billsDecreased water billsIt makes sense to conserveIt makes sense to conserve

What Can Gardeners Do?What Can Gardeners Do?Preserve potable Preserve potable water for drinking water for drinking and indoor usesand indoor usesHarvest and store Harvest and store rainwater for nonrainwater for non--potable uses i.e. potable uses i.e. irrigationirrigation

““Rainfall MathRainfall Math””11”” rainfall 1,000 sq. ft roof = rainfall 1,000 sq. ft roof = 623 gal623 gal

ex: 1ex: 1”” rain 2,500 sq. ft roof = rain 2,500 sq. ft roof = over 1,500 gal.over 1,500 gal.

What is Rainwater Harvesting?What is Rainwater Harvesting?

Collecting rainwaterCollecting rainwaterStoring rainwaterStoring rainwaterUsing rainwaterUsing rainwater

What can you use it for?What can you use it for?IrrigationIrrigation

Hand water your lawn and garden Hand water your lawn and garden Rainwater to irrigation system Rainwater to irrigation system

OutdoorOutdoorWash vehicles and petsWash vehicles and petsRefill ponds/fountainsRefill ponds/fountainsRefill swimming pool Refill swimming pool

Industrial ProcessesIndustrial ProcessesIndoorIndoor

Toilet flushingToilet flushing

CisternsCisternsGreater storage than rain barrelsGreater storage than rain barrelsVariety of stylesVariety of styles

Above, below or halfAbove, below or half--submergedsubmergedNeed to be able to clean outNeed to be able to clean out

1,500 g in Oregon

Parts of a Cistern SystemParts of a Cistern System

Catchment AreaCatchment Area(roof)(roof)

PretreatmentPretreatment(screen filters, (screen filters,

firstfirst--flush)flush) Storage

RainRain

To irrigation To irrigation systemsystem

Parts of the SystemParts of the SystemRoof Roof –– type doesntype doesn’’t mattert matterConveyance Conveyance ––gutters or roof line gutters or roof line valleyvalleyClosed system to keep out Closed system to keep out mosquitoesmosquitoesProfessionals recommend leaf Professionals recommend leaf guard to reduce clogsguard to reduce clogs

More System PartsMore System PartsPretreatment Pretreatment –– to reduce debristo reduce debrisStorage is cisternStorage is cistern

Metal, fiberglass, polyethylene, Metal, fiberglass, polyethylene, polypropylenepolypropylene

Distribution goes to irrigation Distribution goes to irrigation systemsystem

PretreatmentPretreatment

http://www.rainharvest.com/

Additional TypesAdditional Types

Less Maintenance, lose water

What do they look like?What do they look like?Three general types:Three general types:

Above groundAbove groundBelow groundBelow groundPartially submergedPartially submerged

Sumter Sumter ExtensionExtensionFrom the roof to storage – make it

attractive

Photos courtesy: Holly Tuxbury & Brooke Burn

St. Pete ResidenceSt. Pete ResidenceUsed for Laundry, Used for Laundry, toilets, irrigationtoilets, irrigation1,100 gallons1,100 gallons

MultiMulti--family Residencefamily ResidenceAlso in St. PeteAlso in St. Pete3X850 gallons3X850 gallonsToilets and Toilets and irrigationirrigation

Creating PrivacyCreating Privacy

Kings Co, WashingtonKings Co, Washington

Western USWestern USPatio is cisternPatio is cisternWater is Water is directed to directed to citrus by citrus by gravity feedgravity feed

Below Ground ExamplesBelow Ground Examples

Sarasota Office Complex Sarasota Office Complex –– 28,000 gals28,000 gals

Rinker Hall Rinker Hall -- UFUF8,000 gals 8,000 gals

Limiting FactorsLimiting FactorsDistributionDistributionMany local regulationsMany local regulationsSufficient elevation or Sufficient elevation or pumppumpCost Cost

CostsCostsNot a DIY projectNot a DIY project60:40 cistern : installation costs60:40 cistern : installation costs$1,500$1,500--3,500 for 2,000 gal cistern3,500 for 2,000 gal cisternPermitsPermits

Other considerationOther considerationRainwater does not come in Rainwater does not come in contact with the ground so it contact with the ground so it does does notnot contain:contain:

harmful bacteriaharmful bacteriadissolved saltsdissolved saltsmineralsmineralsheavy metalsheavy metals

Lower tech/$$Lower tech/$$Rain BarrelsRain BarrelsRain GardensRain GardensConservationConservation

Rain BarrelsRain BarrelsUnder downspout / eaveUnder downspout / eaveCollects morning dewCollects morning dewExtends H2O availabilityExtends H2O availabilityFood grade barrel Food grade barrel –– can can be hard to findbe hard to findScreen to exclude Screen to exclude insectsinsectsClean periodicallyClean periodically Beautiful example

in Hillsborough Co

Check it outCheck it out

Single or MultiplesSingle or Multiples

Rain Gardens Rain Gardens ––A miniA mini--retention systemsretention systems

OnOn--lot infiltration, lot infiltration, soakaway pits, bioswalesoakaway pits, bioswale

Prevent erosion and runoffPrevent erosion and runoffPollutant collectionPollutant collectionWater stays on siteWater stays on siteSlow percolationSlow percolationBeautiful!Beautiful!

Source: City of Maplewood, MN

Careful PlanningCareful PlanningTake advantage of existing drainageTake advantage of existing drainageAway from structure to prevent floodingAway from structure to prevent floodingChoose resilient plantsChoose resilient plants2020--30% of volume30% of volumeMay need curbMay need curb--cutcutAbove water tableAbove water table

Source: DNR.WI.Gov

Before and AfterBefore and After

Source: www.LandandWater.com

How to Build a Rain GardenHow to Build a Rain GardenPartial excavationPartial excavation

Save Save ““topsoiltopsoil””Back fill with stone and gravelBack fill with stone and gravelSome rules require a liner/sumpSome rules require a liner/sumpSome add pitSome add pitThen landscape!Then landscape!

Source: City of Maplewood, MN

Assure Success with MaintenanceAssure Success with Maintenance

Water plants to establishWater plants to establishMulch plantingMulch plantingVigilant weedingVigilant weedingMake sure plants are happyMake sure plants are happyEffective for decadesEffective for decades

Source: Dan Culbert, IFAS

Green RoofsGreen RoofsReduces temperatures 12Reduces temperatures 12--45 degrees45 degreesGreen roof absorbs 45% runoff vs. 9% Green roof absorbs 45% runoff vs. 9% withoutwithoutReduce air pollutionReduce air pollutionChicago = 300,000 ftChicago = 300,000 ft22

Source: umich.edu

ExamplesExamples

Chicago City HallChicago City HallUniversity of Central Florida Student UnionUniversity of Central Florida Student Union

Green Roof ChallengesGreen Roof ChallengesShallow soil profileShallow soil profileWeight is biggest issueWeight is biggest issueHigh or low plantingsHigh or low plantings

Source: Source: www.nasa.govwww.nasa.gov NYCNYC

Escambia Co. OneEscambia Co. One--Stop Stop Permitting CenterPermitting Center

33,000 sq. ft. under 33,000 sq. ft. under ““greengreen””"This project is a great

example of how local governments can adopt

environmentally-sustainable practices that not only protect

natural resources but help reduce the

potential for some of the harmful effects of climate change.“

~ Eric LivingstonDEP's Chief of Bureau

of Watershed Restoration

Alpharetta Park PavilionAlpharetta Park Pavilion

Can you guess this location?Can you guess this location?

Celebrity Solstice

Local Regulations PrevailLocal Regulations PrevailRain barrels Rain barrels ––communities cancommunities can’’t prohibitt prohibitCisterns Cisterns –– local ordinances vary greatlylocal ordinances vary greatlyRain gardens Rain gardens –– assure does not interrupt assure does not interrupt planned drainageplanned drainage

Succulents and Cacti at Washington DC

offices of ASLA

Follow Nine FFL PrincipalsFollow Nine FFL PrincipalsRight Plant: Right PlaceRight Plant: Right PlaceWater efficientlyWater efficientlyFertilize AppropriatelyFertilize AppropriatelyMulchMulchAttract WildlifeAttract Wildlife

More PrincipalsMore PrincipalsManage Yard Pests ResponsiblyManage Yard Pests ResponsiblyRecycleRecycleReduce StormReduce Storm--water Runoffwater RunoffProtect the WaterfrontProtect the Waterfront

Water Related PrincipalsWater Related Principals

Water EfficientlyWater EfficientlyMulchMulchReduce StormReduce Storm--water Runoffwater RunoffProtect the WaterfrontProtect the Waterfront

More informationMore informationUnversity of FloridaUnversity of Florida

Cisterns: Cisterns: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae029edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae029Living Green seriesLiving Green seriesProgram for Resource Efficient CommunitiesProgram for Resource Efficient Communities

www.Stormwater.ucf.edu www.Stormwater.ucf.edu http://www.composters.comhttp://www.composters.comwww.FloridaForce.orgwww.FloridaForce.orgMagazine.Audobon.org for list of Magazine.Audobon.org for list of raingarden plantsraingarden plantswww.greenroofs.com.www.greenroofs.com.

Questions?Questions?