In the Arizona desert we get about 4″ of rain a year. That isn’t much compared to many parts of the country but water run-off from a monsoon storm can produce enough water to water your garden or lawn for several weeks or months for free. See below on how to harvest rain water in Arizona.
Getting started:
- Observe the natural flow of the rainfall in your yard from your house and around.
- Sketch a site map and include these areas.
- Mark the pitch of the roof and flow of rain.
- Mark high and low points in your yard and where water accumulates.
Next Steps:
- Begin with adjusting or installing gutters. Add a barrel or build a berm to direct or capture the water off of the gutter. During a 1″ rainfall, a 1,000 sq. foot roof collects about 630 gallons of water. You could have a look into something such as these gutter guards Alpharetta so the rainwater you collect will be free from debris.
- Watch what happens during rainfall and make adjustments or add other elements as needed. You should direct the water away from the foundation by about 8-10 feet.
- Promote quick drainage by loosening or tilling the soil in holding areas and covering with mulch. Do not compact the soil or the water will just sit and create a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
- Add spillways to provide for overflow in order to channel the extra water elsewhere in the landscape.
- Utilize many small rainwater collection areas. These are more effective then one large basin and will drain faster to your plants.
- If you are wanting to store the water for future use during dry times, then consider installing a containment system with filtrations installed to avoid contamination and mosquitoes. This system can then be plumbed to your plants to keep them watered without costing you a dime.
Excerpts of this Article Courtesy: Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine
