CRWA

CRWA in the News

Capturing rainwater reduces floods, protects water sources

The Salem News, Friday, April 17, 2009

Thousands of years ago, humans captured vast amounts of rainwater to get them through periods of drought. At the Incas' Machu Picchu, in the ruins of Jerusalem, and across the globe to Asia, archaeologists have found vast rainwater-capture systems that sustained the ancients.

Today, we couldn't be more spoiled, especially in water-rich areas like Massachusetts. We turn on the tap and walk away, over-water our lawns to keep them perpetually green, and let showers heat up for what feels like an eternity. If you need further evidence of our high draw on water, take a look at our main local freshwater source — the Ipswich River — during the height of summer. If you are unaware, the river is said to run backward and suffers an aqueous form of anorexia. Silverfish can be seen drying out under the broil of the summer sun in numerous creek beds.

Modern plumbing and the ability to access potable water so easily has made us lose our appreciation of water as the precious resource that it is. It's only when rivers run dangerously dry that we value water above gold.

What's worse, we pave over miles of ground with little regard to hydrology. When rainwater hits impervious surfaces, it runs off in sheets, carrying toxic pollutants, as it makes its way to rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs and the beach.

The diagram (page 14) is a good visual showing how hydrology changes in urban environments. Chiefly, runoff increases and infiltration — or recharge of rainwater into the ground — decreases.
A local example is the Northshore Mall in Peabody. At which low point of elevation do you think its spring rainwater is going to run off to? It's the plagued Peabody Square, of course!

When rainwater follows the unnatural courses we carve out for it with our construction and infrastructure, our collective reaction is to curse nature for causing dangerous floods and damage to properties. This week's Green Quick Fixes offers a better way. Harvesting and channeling water and plantings can control rainwater.

Employing the following strategies is not only easy but has numerous benefits — saving money by conserving fee-based potable water coming from your tap, providing water for lawns and gardens on those coming sunny days, and greatly minimizing, even eliminating, your runoff stream.

Remember, to be green, you've got to be blue!

Connect a rain barrel to a downspout.

The water coming off your roof (55,000 gallons per 2,000 square feet) can be captured in 55-gallon barrels that start at about $65 (the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection offers subsidies to many towns). A tap or spigot allows hose connections. A mesh screen keeps out mosquitoes.

From your deck, attach a chain to the overhang or awning and connect it to a weighted bucket.
Widely available, and easy to make, rain chains catch water that keeps deck or patio plants hydrated
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Consider a basement, below ground, or backyard cistern.

These large-capacity rainwater holders keep large yards, vegetable gardens, small greenhouses and ornamental flowers going and can even infiltrate groundwater. Check out the Charles River Watershed Association's SmartStorm system.

Plant a rain garden at key pooling and runoff points around your property.

Filling a dip in your lawn or a downward location with a bowl-shaped garden of thirsty plants captures running water.

Direct gutters into rain gardens and other plantings, instead of the street.

Indoors:

Consider pouring that half-empty water glass into an ornamental plant instead of down the drain.
Grab a bucket and capture pre-shower water for watering indoor plants.

For conservation purposes in Ipswich-River dependent communities, please turn off taps as much as possible — while dishwashing and brushing teeth, especially.

To learn more about rainwater harvesting, rain gardens and hearty, native plants, go to http://greenscapes.org. Numerous resources online, including DIYnetwork.com, can also help you construct your own rain barrels.