2. I used Google Earth and Google Maps to create a basemap for my house.
Since I have a small lot, I used the 1”=10’ scale. It was simple to trace and I was
able to also walk the property to find additional features.
As I viewed by house from Google’s satellite feature, it appears that I might
either have solar panels on the roof or different types of shingles. I do not own
a ladder but will have to further investigate as this could be a good start for
solar energy. Also, as I walked the house, I realized that I only have one
downspout located in the backyard.There is so much potential for water
collection lost by only having one downspout on a triangular style roof.
Basemapping Process
3. In addition to learning that a lot of water is being diverted to the cement areas around
my house because I only have one downspout, I also learned that I have drains around
the house that lead to public storm drains.There is great potential for capture and re-use
of this water.
Challenges and Opportunities: There is a slight slope (5-10%) in the front yard that
makes the water flow into the street. This makes much of the water runoff into the street
before it can be utilized in the soil. Since this area is mostly just grass, landscaping using
mini-swales or diverting the water to stay on the soil longer could be implemented.
Another challenge is finding a way to transfer any rainwater captured in the backyard
into the front yard where I will be creating a front yard garden.This creates an
opportunity to use the water in different ways other than for the garden, such as using it
for drinking sources (after purification), flushing toilets and laundry.
Water
https://en.reset.org/blog/water-reuse-
how-you-can-save-100-litres-going-
down-drain
4. At my current homestead, the most useful technique for my small
space will be rain water catchments and storage tanks. Bane1 (2012)
states that the simplest and cheapest forms of storage tanks are
made from welded steel reinforcing mesh and lined with a carpet
sandwich. I will need to find practical storage tanks like that and also
practice proper filtration, especially since I am unsure of what my
roofing material is made of and I need to get rid of any debris.
1P. Bane, 2012. The permaculture handbook: Garden farming for town and country.
Water ManagementTechniques
http://www.buildinggreenfutures.
com/tag/rainwater-catchment/
5. Here in California, we have been in
drought for a while and water
conservation was the policy. Bane2
(2012) also mentions how you can
put a bucket under the tap when
showering or when you are
warming the shower, and to re-
use the water in your garden.
Although the few plants around
the house are succulents and
cacti, I could still easily implement
this technique and water the
plants as needed. I could also re-
use this water to flush toilets or
for washing dishes.
2 Ibid
Water ManagementTechniques
(Drought)
http://www.crsaarchitecture.com/crsaarchitecture/2014/10/29/wed
nesdays-series-grey-water-part-ii
6. After being in a drought for so long, California is now experiencing heavy rains
and storms brought in from El Nino weather conditions. After conserving
water for so long, Californians are now faced with the issue of preventing
flooding. Bane3 (2012) explores this two-pronged approach and mentions how
contour terraces in sloping fields or grass buffer strips in low areas could help
in the prevention of the overflow of water.This could be implemented by
planting buffer strips to carry the water where I need it as water tends to
travel in a snake-like pattern. I can prevent it accumulating in one area of the
yard and spread it out evenly to maximize use.
3 Ibid
Water ManagementTechniques (El
Nino)
http://www.nzdl.org/gsdlmod?e=d-
00000-00---off-0hdl--00-0----0-10-0---0--
-0direct-10---4-------0-1l--11-en-50---20-
about---00-0-1-00-0--4----0-0-11-10-
0utfZz-8-
00&cl=CL1.16&d=HASHbdde2fe3749493
c1a0de2d.4>=1
7. Basemapping my property gave me better insight into
my property’s design and what design principles could
best be applied to my homestead. It showed what was
lacking and how I could make improvements. Also, by
studying the water flow and resources, I am better
informed where to develop water conservation ideas
and design the land to provide resources for myself, my
needs and my homestead’s needs, for both drought
and rainy conditions.
Conclusion
