Kevin, I posted this on the list serv on March 28: Last year, we built 7 water harvesting systems in community gardens in NYC and plan to build at least 10 more this spring. We roughly calculated that we collected 14,000 gallons of water in last years drought (saving enough for over 9,000, 1.6 gallon toilet flushes). To date we have used recycled reddish colored olive barrels that hold 190 liters. (~50 gals.) Where the roof collecting area is large enough we connected the barrels together with flexible pool hoses low on the barrels so that all of the barrels fill up at the same rate and empty when the spigot is opened. The barrels are covered with tight fitting lids that have a small hole covered with a mosquito proof screen to allow for air pressure to enter and exit and water to flow freely. The barrels are elevated on concrete block and 2X8 or 2X10 lumber platforms. The blocks are 3-4' apart to carry the weight and the barrels are high enough to accept a watering can or to have a hose attached to connect to soaker hoses. An overflow pipe directs the excess water to a planted area. The barrels are also secured with nylon rope and eyehooks to the adjacent shed, casita or building to keep the barrels from shifting, falling over when empty or being pulled down by a child. We are planning to upgrade the systems with "roofwashers" which are simple diverters to direct the first "wash" from the roof to a small collector which can be emptied and the "cleaner" water flows to the barrels. We make it clear that the water is non potable and to be used for watering plants only, not for drinking. We are looking for some simple manual metods for "pressurizing" the flow of water to use with drip irrigation systems or where the barrels cannot be raised high enough for gravity to get the water to higher elevations or where the barrels can't be located at the highest spot in the garden. We also are looking for larger containers with different profiles that could fit in, under or around other objects in the gardens and could possibly have multiple uses. We have pictures of the built systems but this list serv doesn't like attachments. Lenny Librizzi
You might also try these links http://www.waterwiser.org/frameset2.cfm?b=6 http://www.waterwiser.org/frameset.cfm?b=5 http://www.eng.warwick.ac.uk/DTU/rwh/index.html http://www.watertanks.com/category.asp?404;http://www.watertanks.com/category/115.asp http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon/rainwaterharvesting.htm 5/1/2003 10:32:18 AM, "Kevin Lampone" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >I'm working with a community garden in Minneapolis and we're interested >in collecting rainwater from the existing gutter system of the apartment >building on the property where the garden is located. Does anyone have >any tips or experiences they could share about doing something like >this? >Thanks, >Kevin Lampone >Brian Coyle Community Garden >Minneapolis, MN > >______________________________________________________ >The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's >services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out >how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org > > >To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: >https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden > ______________________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
