When it rains it pours.
The weather these past months have been wet and wonderful. We love the rain. What I hear you say!
Yes we do! I will tell you why we do, it’s because water is crucial for the earth, which is an absent and a valuable resource in Cyprus due to the long dry summers.
Rain water is pure and has many benefits for plants. Even the smell of the earth when it falls for the first time in the year, just captivates the senses.
Rainwater is soft water, it is free from salts, minerals, treatment chemicals and pharmaceuticals which are found in municipal water, groundwater and surface water.
Rainwater is pure hydration.
Even though we complain there is not enough of it, there is a pattern of intense showers and it seems the sky is open for a while which only lasts for 10 minutes. Where does that water go?
Stormwater Management is an important factor, it helps to prevent erosion and flooding of urban and rural areas.
Stormwater run off is considered the responsibility of local governments, of course good planning by these organisations is a must, It is important too that each homemaker can contribute too.
Reducing stormwater run off in a community can be implemented when first planning and building your new home and designing your landscapes. Landscape architects help contribute and manage these issues.Rain is an important factor in our lives and we should harvest it as much as we can.
What is Rain Harvesting?
Rain harvesting is the collection of rainwater from structures, surfaces to filter it and store it for different uses.
The benefits of rainwater harvesting
- Protects water resources
- Reduces stormwater runoff and pollution
- Reduces water bills
- Demonstrates sustainability
- Reduces floods and erosion
Types of Rainharvesting
- Gutters and downspouts
- Green infrastructure
- Green roofs
- Raingardens
- Bioswales
- Sand filters
- Infiltration trenches
- Permeable pavements
- Rain barrels
- Drainage
- Drywells
Stormwater can ruin your property and cause problems of soil erosion in your landscape and your surrounding neighborhood areas. Controlling rainwater run off from your roof will lessen ground erosion in your landscape. Gutters can be installed around your roof base will help control heavy rainfall. Direct the downspouts to areas of your landscape that will absorb the excess water, you can dig a small trench and fill with gravel to prevent soil erosion or standing water problems.
Rain barrels
Rain barrels are used for collecting rainwater and provide a source of irrigation. Rain water which runs off the roof is carrying pollutants with it, including particles, bird droppings and bugs but its great for watering lawns, flower beds and plants.
Permeable Paving
Replace any concrete paving,driveways and patios with impervious paving materials, they look great too. Permeable paving will reduce standing water that collects in your landscape. When designing new spaces such as patios they should be designed so water soaks into the ground.
Rain gardens
A rain garden is a small depression which is formed on a natural slope. It is designed to temporarily hold and soak in rain water from run off flow from the roof and driveways. They are planted areas with grasses, flowers, shrubs and small trees.
Even though you may feel this isn’t necessary in our arid region, we still have a problem when it does rain and it is a problem for our society to consider, we recently had floods in our urban areas. This phenomenon is because we do not consider the problems until they occur. Thinking forward in planning and conserving the resources is vital.
