Page 52 - 2021 SDCA Project
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STORM WATER & IRRIGATION
Stormwater management and irrigation become a much more important aspect for ● Follow the previous storm water recommendations to provide bioretention
the garden than a typical building. This has been discussed very thoroughly in areas/rain gardens combined with underground piping as needed to control
previous chapters but the purpose here is to present the overall plan with some rain water as it cascades down the site towards the pond.
specific recommendations.. ● Rain water from the existing Giving House currently is collected and run to
rain barrels for garden irrigation with solar pumps (not working at last visit).
This system should be incorporated into the bioretention swales shown.
● The rainwater collected from the solar walkway roofs should also be
directed to the pond or collected for use at the Tiny Homes.
● The pond is the natural collection/detention/retention point on the property
and thus a natural “storage barrel” for rainwater. It has been neglected and
has deteriorated with erosion over time. The existing weir is bypassed and
the pond does not hold the volume it was designed for. We recommend
repairing the weir thus enlarging the pond and holding more water that can
be used for irrigation.
● An irrigation system can then be installed from the pond and distributed
back to the garden. This could also provide irrigation to the fruit trees and
other areas if needed.
● A pump will be needed to circulate the irrigation water back up to the
garden. We suggest a solar powered pump for this purpose.
Image: Bioretention pond under Connecticut Avenue Bridge, NPS/Jonathan Shafer
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