Co-op Site #4

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Project #1: Rainwater harvesting earthworks and sunken vegetable beds

Installation Date: September 22, 2012

Location: Private residence, N Hayden Rd and E Roosevelt Rd, Scottsdale

Workshop Leader(s): Ryan Wood

Number of Co-op Volunteers: 11

The homeowner wanted to capture rainwater and put it to beneficial use to grow some trees and other native-adapted vegetation to beautify her property. She also wanted to grow vegetables in a desert-friendly way. Earthworks designed to capture a surface volume of 300 gallons of rainwater were installed along with 160 square feet of sunken vegetable beds.

Project #2: Laundry to Landscape (L2L) greywater project

Installation Date: December 1, 2013

Workshop Leader(s): Ryan Wood

Number of Co-op Volunteers: 7

The homeowner wanted to route the 7800 gallons of annual laundry greywater to her water harvesting earthworks to provide additional water for the native-adapted plants.

Benefits:

Rainwater that once was wasted is now redirected into multiple beneficial uses for the homeowner. Two native shade trees and 36 other native-adapted plants were planted to beautify the property. These trees and plants will: filter air, soil and water pollutants; provide cooling shade and a moister microclimate; help infiltrate water and organic matter deep into the soil, making the soil more water absorbent; and attract native pollinators and other wildlife back into the urban setting.

The sunken vegetable beds are desert friendly. They naturally harvest water runoff and retain moisture from irrigation in the planting area. Because the beds are sunken, there is less surface area exposed to our harsh sunlight and heat which causes very high evaporation rates. Organic matter naturally collects in these sunken areas which mulches the bed and builds soil over time, all with less work on the part of the homeowner.

With the addition of a Laundry to Landscape greywater implementation, 7800 gallons of laundry greywater is being used for the benefit of the native plantings, instead of being directed into the sewer system. By sinking this water into the ground instead of sending it down the sewer system, the homeowner can get multiple uses out of the same water and rehydrate her property.

WMG Green Living Co-op Sites - Phoenix Metro Area
updated 06/2014 by jlwadsworth