Living SustainabLEE
August 11th, 2010 -- Posted in Connections, Events, Rainwater harvesting | View CommentsOn August 10, like-minded businesses and neighbors convened for the SustainabLEE Community Partnership Meeting at the Eco Living Center in Fort Myers. The purpose was to learn how to transition to more sustainable policies, practices, and conscientious lifestyles. The premise is that the health of our environment, economy, and community go hand in hand.
Here are some pictures from the event (click on one to open a slideshow, then click on any again to close it )
The meetings are held on a monthly basis, each time with a different speaker and topic. This time, the monthly speaker was Tom Becker, UF/IFAS Florida Yards & Neighborhoods agent. Tom gave a walking tour of the demonstration gardens at the Eco Living Center, located at Rutenberg Park in Fort Myers. The gardens were designed based on the nine principles of Florida friendly landscaping [more info].
The second principle is “Water Efficiently.” To that end, the gardens are watered using stored rainwater, which is captured by a system installed by our own John Comito. The rain catchment solution was the main focus of the tour.
It was a team effort. Many partners are involved in the gardens. Closely aligned with the rainwater harvesting project are John Bishton of Electrical Service Masters, Inc. [more info] and Jeff Paul of Jeff Paul Enterprises, both of Fort Myers. Bishton installed the solar panel, along with its associated components, which powers the electrical pump that draws water from the underground water storage to divert it for irrigation, which is further controlled by a timer. Paul installed microjet irrigation, which waters plants even more effectively than traditional sprinkler methods, at a fraction of the gallon-per-hour rate.
For our private clients, we aim to provide rainwater storage solutions that are “out of sight, out of mind.” For the demonstration gardens, however, the components were purposefully designed to be plainly visible so visitors touring the gardens could see how easy it is to water a landscape in a manner that’s completely off the grid.
The Eco Living Center has a sloping roof, off which water is collected by gutters and stored in an above-ground cistern. With all the rain we receive in the wet season, this cistern quickly overflows. To make use of that overflow, it is collected in an underground system comprised of modular matrix blocks. These are very strong recycled plastic crate-like structures that form void space underground where water can efficiently be stored. Water is also collected from natural ground seepage. We installed permeable pavers through which rainwater easily flows.
An important quality of the permeable pavers is the cost savings with the local water utilities. You may notice an annual assessment from your utility company that is charged based on the area of impermeable surface on your property. Impermeable surfaces force rainwater to run off into waterways, storm drains, etc. The water authority then has to deal with all that unfiltered runoff. The modular matrix blocks we use are incredibly sturdy. They could be configured under a driveway, that is then surfaced with permeable pavers.
As Tom Becker said at the event, “You could park your firetruck on it.” If you do have a firetruck, consider parking it over your watersupply. You might then need a shorter hose.
Seriously, though, John Bishton said, “It’s fun to watch your electric bill go down.”
Think about how much fun it would be to watch your water bill go down along with it, while your beautifully sustainable landscaping plants come up. Your rainwater storage could also feed a beautiful water feature while it irrigates your garden.
Think about it. And join us at some Community Partnership Meetings in the future. We’ll keep you updated. Also, check in with the Lee County Extension Service [more info].
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