Atlanta Water Harvest: An Understanding of Conservation

ATLANTA WATER CONSERVATION, Part 3

A Sustainable Water Supply Atlanta GA

[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 07/14/08] Nearly 5 inches of rain (more that 2 inches above normal for July) has fallen in metro Atlanta so far this month, National Weather Service forecaster Sean Ryan said. That includes the 2.1 inches recorded Sunday at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, a record for July 13, forecasters said. [However] Lake levels aren't likely to increase if the rain doesn't fall in Lanier or Allatoona's watersheds...

Create Your Own Sustainable Water Supply

The fact of the matter is that no matter how much rain should fall, Altanta will always have a "water crisis" and Lake Lanier will never hold enough water to service Georgia's Metro-Atlanta communities if something doesn't change. It is a crisis that simply is not going to go away. It is a serious social, economic, political and environmental issue. Even with the record breaking rains of July, the water table of Lake Lanier showed no substantial increase and is still considerably lower than it was just a year ago. (Click here for more information.)

However, there really is an oasis for Metro-Atlanta residential and commercial property owners; an ecological, practical, economical and sensible solution. It is strikingly simple... rainwater harvesting. By using the available rainfall of our area (as opposed to depending on the public/municipal water supply) you can "water all you want," and maintain a healthy, green and responsible landscape. It is possible to create your own sustainable water supply for landscaping and to save money in the process.

A small system can easily be installed to help meet summer outdoor watering demands. Coupled with proper irrigation and sustainable landscaping, such a system offers not only an environmentally sound solution, but one that can inevitably leave a home/property owner free to "water all you want," substantially lower landscape water bills, and lessen the carbon imprint and dependence on municipal services.

Typical rainwater holding systems are either above or below ground. The actual capacity of a system can vary according to a property's specific needs and requirements. In the case of a property with a pre-existing irrigation system, it is the most practical "add-on" for continued benefits and convenience of that system, plus the actual costs of "supplying" the water drop considerably.

In some cases, it is important to "re-think" the property landscape itself. This can involve consulting with a landscape professional, and establishing a "zoned irrigation" to maximize water useage.

If you "collected" only one-half of the recent rainfall of July, a mere 2.5" of rain, from a typical 2,000 square foot roof, you would have "harvested" over 3,125 gallons of water - enough to supply a well designed landscape with over 250 hours of irrigation.

[Click for Altanta Area Rainfall 2008]

In "the big scheme of things," there are no immediate, simple answers to the Atlanta Water Crisis. Yet, as we grow more enviromentally-conscious, and as our own cultural, political and regional circumstances evolve, the decision to "harvest the rain," becomes all the more sensible.

Installing rainwater storage tanks or cisterns, recycling greywater, and realizing that "conservation is truly a matter of using what we have available wisely," allows property owners an "option" that otherwise simply does not exist.

Rainwater harvesting is a simple "technology" that has existed for centuries, and is a mainstay in countries around the world.

The Atlanta Water Crisis will continue to be a hotbed of political and economic discussion for years to come. The actual effects of the drought will take years to fully realize and understand. Yet, the solution to your property water needs can be as immediate as the next rainfall... harvest the rain... "water all you want."

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Resources & Articles

ATLANTA WATER CRISIS, Part 2
Enough is enough. Choosing a solution.

Atlanta Water Harvest designs and installs rainwater harvesting systems, greywater recycling systems, and high-efficiency landscape irrigation systems. We serve the drought prone metro Atlanta and North Georgia areas with a variety of custom designed water conservation solutions that allow water users to cut their costs, avoid water restrictions, become more self-sufficient, and do something to positively impact the natural environment.

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ATLANTA WATER CONSERVATION, Part 3

Create Your Own Sustainable Water Supply

If you "collected" only one-half of the recent rainfall of July, a mere 2.5" of rain, from a typical 2,000 square foot roof, you would have "harvested" over 3,125 gallons of water - enough to supply a well designed landscape with over 250 hours of irrigation.

Tel. 678.226.1785 © 2008 Atlanta Water Harvest 2870 Peachtree Road NE Atlanta GA 30305 AtlantaWaterHarvest.com