What is water harvesting?

Water is a precious resource in California. The purpose of water harvesting is to keep rainwater on your land, to use it where you can and to let the rest percolate back into the soil where it will be naturally filtered by the earth and restore the groundwater/ aquifer. There are two ways to harvest water on your property. The first is to collect and store it in rain tanks, this is known as “active” storage. These can be placed near downspouts from your roof or piped to an area downhill where it can be stored and reused during hot months. The second storage method is called “passive” storage and is stored in your land in bioswales. Bioswales slow down water in vegetated swales, rain gardens, or gravel pits (covered with permeable pavers). They allow the water to be moved where you want it (away from buildings and into the garden) and then allow the water to slowly percolate into the ground.

Many of our projects us both methods to store rainwater. On larger properties, water can be moved though vegetated swales (like rivers) and ponds. On smaller properties, gravel pits can be dug in low spots and covered with permeable pavers to act as patios.