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Oklahoma Outside


Farming for water T


Will rainwater harvesting catch on in Oklahoma? By Allan Storjohann


hank goodness for the rain! This spring has brought above-average rainfall to most Oklahoma counties; rivers, lakes, and ponds are fi lling up again. On the heels of two record-breaking hot and dry years, a lot of Oklahomans are saying, “It doesn’t matter how much rain falls, we’ll take all we can get!”


In spite of how things look right now, the prolonged drought has positioned water conservation issues front and center. Homeowners have been forced to cut back on water use due to shortages, restrictions and even bans. And the cost of water is going up. High usage, reduced supply and an aging water treatment and distribution network are all factors. In most cities and towns across the country, a family of four can buy 50 gallons of water per person per day for basic needs such as washing, cooking and fl ushing, for less than $30 per month. However, add to that landscape irrigation, swimming pools and car washings, and the price can quadruple. The average lot size of around 10,000 square feet uses up to 5,000 gallons of water a week for landscape irrigation alone. Those summertime water bills can put a dent in a homeowner’s budget. The focus on the escalating costs of water use is nationwide. Many com- munities across the country are experiencing higher water bills. Surprisingly, the price of water in Las Vegas is almost half the cost for the same amount used in Atlanta according to a survey done in 2010 by Circle of Blue. For the time being, lower costs in most western states such as Oklahoma, Nevada and even California are enabling the high demand for water. But that is likely to change as rates increase along with the rest of the country.


Supply is probably the greatest limiting factor, particularly during times of drought like we have been experiencing in Oklahoma. Because of the excessive usage by Las Vegas homeowners, that city has prohibited front lawns for new homes. Could that be on the horizon for metro areas in Oklahoma? Just last month the city of Oklahoma City decided to keep odd-even water rationing in effect indefi nitely, even though the total rain- fall to date is double the normal rate. The reason as stated by city offi cials is to change the attitude of the citizens in regard to water use and conservation. In the face of rising costs, restrictions, rationing and uncertain weather, many Americans are now seeking independence and peace of mind by harvesting and storing rainwater. It’s a hot na- tional trend that is just now being implement- ed commercially and residentially on a larger


scale in Oklahoma. The stored water is used as needed to supplement household purposes such as fl ushing toilets, washing the car, irrigating the lawn or topping off water features and swimming pools. Stored rainwater can be used anytime, even while the community is under a watering ban. One inch of rainfall on the roof of a 2,000-square-foot home can generate 1,250 gallons of water. The average annual rainfall amounts in Oklahoma range from around 20 inches per year in the far west and Panhandle counties to 48 inches per year in southeastern counties. That adds up to between 25,000 and 60,000 gallons of water coming off a roof of that size annually. The American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association reports there are now over 500 certifi ed companies in America providing products and services to help homeowners and energy-conscious commercial building managers harvest the rain. In areas subject to wildfi res, underground storage tanks are now being built for the purpose of suppressing fi re damage to houses. Water storage systems are engineered to sprinkle the roof of a home or business, protecting it from a fi re. The excess water runs back down into the storage system via the gutters and drains to be used again. Another system, Rain Xchange by Aquascape, circulates underground stored rainwater in an attractive pond garden landscape. The storage system and pumps can also distribute water through irrigation piping to the lawn and garden. Rain Xchange offers belowground water storage kits in sizes from 500 gallons to 3,000 gallons. The larger size would be appropriate for wildfi re sprinklers to protect the home. While setup costs can be in the thousands of dollars, research has shown that rainwater storage systems offer a very good short-term return on investment in most cases. The harvesting of rainwater can be as simple as setting a rain barrel under


the down spout of a roof gutter, or as elaborate as the creation of a reinforced storage chamber under the entire parking lot of an offi ce building. As costs for water go up and the reliability of water sources goes down, rainwater harvesting and storage becomes an attractive option.


Want to learn more?


For more information on rainwater harvesting systems read “Taking on Water” by Wendy Pabich or check out these websites:


Rain barrels can be found on sale at local garden supply stores.


30 WWW.OK-LIVING.COOP


American Rainwater Cachment Systems Association: www.arcsa.org HarvestH20: www.harvesth2o.com RainHarvest Systems: www.rainharvest.com Circle of Blue: www.circleofblue.org


Rain Xchange garden pond water feature built over a 3,700 gallon rainwater storage tank at OSU-OKC’s Agriculture Resources building. Photos by Allan Storjohann


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