401: Water Harvesting in Depth

This Urban Farm U course is presented with the GrowPHX Collaborative Permaculture Education Program.

Permaculture and Water Harvesting go hand in hand. Our job as observers is to watch the water flow both on our properties and in our neighborhood, and discover the best ways to capture and sink it into our landscape. Our challenge for you is to do a survey of your space (we will teach you how) and see how many sources of water you really have…you might be surprised at all the different opportunities.

Join Permaculture Designers Don Titmus & Greg Peterson for an eye-opening course delving into the benefits and various methods of water harvesting as a way to improve your yard and community. Together they will bring decades of experience in reading landscapes and implementing rainwater, greywater and many other water harvesting systems.

Given our interesting times we have pivoted to doing this as an online course. Rather than delivering all this information in an overwhelming full day online, we are breaking it up over SIX different nights in July and August. Not to worry though if you can’t make each one as they are recorded for your listening pleasure and stored in your member account.

• Teachers: Don Titmus & Greg Peterson
• Schedule: This course takes place online in SIX LIVE Zoom classes.
• Prerequisite: Perm 100. (included with course)
  
• Helpful preparation:  Perm 201
  
• Class size: Limited space available to maximize student benefit
• Scroll down for module descriptions.

Click Here to Register!

Module 1 – Introduction to Water Harvesting

Living in the Sonoran Desert has unique water challenges. Greg will share with you some tried and true ways to harvest and collect rain and other waters from around your home for your garden needs. Not only will you learn how to catch the water, you will learn ways to store it effectively. Bring a notebook and your sense of adventure. You’ll learn:

• The true meaning of water harvesting
• Water Harvesting ROI – Return on Investment
• The 5 Components of a complete water harvesting system

90 minutes class includes Q&A

Module 2 – Water Harvesting Tour of Bee Oasis – Part 1

The Bee Oasis is set up with many different plants to support the bee’s needs, none of which is practical without harvesting the rain! “Water is Life”! Many of the examples of Harvesting Rain Water are featured at the Bee Oasis, so, join us for an “Eyes”-on look at rain water harvesting.

In Part 1 of the Tour, we will cover many items in depth that are key to the collection of natural rainwater in the front yard at The Bee Oasis including:

• Roof Runoff and Guttering,
• Basic structure of harvesting from an urban building,
• Storing rainwater in the earth with micro basins, and
• Implementation of 55 gallon storage drums for water storage.

Q&A available after video presentation

Module 4 – Water Harvesting for Urban Areas

Harvesting rain from your house is a great first step, especially when you have dry spells where you live (most everyone does at some time or another). Harvesting all the rain that falls onto your property is your ultimate goal. Join us for the what, when, where, why and how of Rain Water Harvesting.

90 minutes class includes Q&A

Module 5 – Water Harvesting Tour of The Urban Farm

Join us for a video tour of the Urban Farm’s water harvesting components.  Included in the tour:

• Grey water applications both indoor and outdoor;
• The epic tale of two rainwater harvesting systems, the expensive and the effective;
• The benefits of an outdoor shower;
• Plus learn the best place to store your collected water!

Q&A available after video presentation

Module 6 – Basics of Earthworks

With any Rain Water Harvesting strategy Earthworks are an important aspect of a harvesting and storage rainwater system. See examples from the micro to the macro so your design will fit your circumstances.

90 minute class includes Q&A