Rainwater collection and your landscape

I’ve been really intrigued with the idea of rainwater collection for landscape irrigation. Metro Atlanta has been in a drought for a couple of years now. Lake Lanier, which is Atlanta’s source of water, is about 13 feet below its average level. Even after the drought ends, people in Buckhead and Atlanta will need to practice water conservation. There has been a tremendous amount of development in the Metro Atlanta area and the water capacity has not kept up with the population growth. Our growth coupled with the “water wars” against Alabama and Florida means water is going to be a premium for a while.

Atlanta also has a big problem with rainwater runoff. Since Atlanta is heavily paved, it’s either feast or fathom when it comes to rain. There is not much surface ground to absorb rainwater. The rain finds it way into the streams and rivers running through Buckhead and causes all kinds of flash flooding problems. (Don’t ever buy a home in a low area near a stream in Buckhead, but that’s another post) The general rainwater runoff also heats up as it travels across the pavement, which in-turn heats up the Chattahoochee river causing the fish to die and algae growth. In heavy storms the rain can overload the sewer system, sending discharge into the Chattahoochee.

A rain water harvesting system can help solve the two previous problems: conserving our drinking water and reducing rainwater runoff. You wouldn’t need to tap into fresh drinking water for irrigation and the slow release of the water would give the landscape time to absorb it, instead of sending the water into the sewers.

I don’t have one installed yet, and have just “ball-parked” some preliminary numbers. I think an 1/2 acre lot in Buckhead would require a 15,000 gallon tank to water your lawn and garden. An in-ground tank this size, with a pump, connected to an existing irrigation system would be around $12 – $15 thousand. It’s obviously a lot of money, but drilling a well can cost at least that much and there is no guarantee you’ll hit water. Besides a well doesn’t provide any anti-runoff benefits.

When you’re allowed to water, Atlanta’s water cost can be very high. That same 1/2 acre lot can easily cost $200 – $300 extra a month for irrigation.

I don’t know anything about the following companies, but I’ve looked at their websites and spoken with some of their representatives throughout my research.

atlanta conservation
atlanta water harvest
rainwater pillow

You also don’t have to collect rainwater on quite the large scale I previously mentioned. You can use rain barrels or cisterns increasingly available at most landscape and home fix-it stores.

Related posts:

1. Atlanta Farmers Market Landscape and Garden Supplies
2. Lake Lanier recreation is down 13%
3. The Pros and Cons of Septic Tanks in Atlanta
4. Rosemary Beach – as great as it’s ever been!