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Slow It! Spread It! Sink It! An Okanagan Homeowner’s Guide to Using Rain as a Resource
Author: Okanagan Basin Water Board
Subject(s):
Collection(s):
Posting Date: January 8, 2018
Year Published: 2018
Abstract:
Using treated water for landscape maintenance and non-consumptive purposes is not energy or fiscally efficient. In addition, climate change will likely mean not only more frequent drought, but also more extreme rainfall events for the Okanagan Valley. Runoff during these events can have negative impacts on the local ecology and our infrastructure. This guide aims to help homeowners in the Okanagan mitigate runoff issues through the capture and reuse of rainfall on their properties, by slowing the water down, spreading it out, and sinking it into the ground.
The guide begins with an overview of the sources of runoff and its associated problems for our infrastructure and ecology. It provides a summary of the sources of runoff on residential properties, and how to evaluate your property. Rainwater capture options and runoff management and their component parts (from gutters to swales to rain gardens) are outlined. Many photographs and illustrations support the discussion and add clarity. A graphic legend for each strategy visually summarizes its benefits, cost, and ease of installation. A “local projects” section provides built examples of each strategy from within the region. Finally, a resources section outlines related local organizations, governments, businesses and written and web resources. A glossary defines relevant terms, while an appendix provides an index of suitable native and non-native plants for use in mitigating runoff.
The guide begins with an overview of the sources of runoff and its associated problems for our infrastructure and ecology. It provides a summary of the sources of runoff on residential properties, and how to evaluate your property. Rainwater capture options and runoff management and their component parts (from gutters to swales to rain gardens) are outlined. Many photographs and illustrations support the discussion and add clarity. A graphic legend for each strategy visually summarizes its benefits, cost, and ease of installation. A “local projects” section provides built examples of each strategy from within the region. Finally, a resources section outlines related local organizations, governments, businesses and written and web resources. A glossary defines relevant terms, while an appendix provides an index of suitable native and non-native plants for use in mitigating runoff.
Full Text Word Count: 9408