Rain Water Harvesting!
We recently attended a seminar/workshop on Rainwater Harvesting. There is certainly no better way to get pumped about some of the latest design concepts that are being developed, than working with them in a hands-on application! The concept of capturing rainwater and having the ability to reuse it in various ways around your yard and garden is in by no means a new idea. The neat thing about some of the new products on the market is the flexibility they give you to incorporate them seamlessly into the landscape. A problem drainage area on your property can be turned into an attractive focal point by incorporating a fountain or pondless waterfall, or the water could be captured by means of a permeable paver system and then stored for future irrigation needs. The stored water could then be circulated by way of a pondless waterfall, fountain etc.
Take a look at how the RainXchange system works…
-The first stage of the RainXchange system is capturing the water using the Downspout Filter. This filter is designed to sit buried at the base of the downspout extension and disguised using decorative stone & gravel.
-The size of the water storage basin is based on the sites water use requirements. The modular design of the AquaBlox water matrix tanks means there is no limit to the size of the water storage basin.
-The Basin is surrounded by liner to retain the water
-The tanks are made with 85% recycled plastics, can be built to support vehicular weight loads and best of all can be designed in a wide variety of configurations to fit the site.
-The overflow is designed to promote the infiltration of excess water back into the deep ground water reserve. The infiltration trench can be built using the AquaBlox tanks wrapped in a permeable geotextile allowing the water to soak back into the ground. The size of the infiltration trench is dependant on the type of soil on the property. This is only one example of methods of handling overflow out of the RainXchange basin. Other methods include redirecting the overflow water over the surface of the property, such as through landscape planting beds, dry creek beds, etc. The goal is to try to keep the water on site allowing to soak into the ground rather than send it off to the storm sewer systems.
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Here is an example of how Permeable Pavers can be used in conjunction with a RainXchange System
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Bellow is an illustration of the how the system is designed
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Finished Projects
Here are a few completed projects showing options that are available with the RainXchange™ System. The decorative water feature not only adds an aesthetic value to the landscape, but it also serves as a filtration system that cleanses and aerates the water. The filtration and biodiversity is similar to that of a rain garden. While the water is above ground it becomes available to birds, butterflies, amphibians and all of the other small critters in the area.
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A small dry stream bed adds interest to this bed and makes a practical way to deal with the water that needs to flow throught this drainage culvert during heavy rains.
