Internet Resources

• dfg.ca.gov

• waterboards.ca.gov

• harvestingrainwater.com

• greywateraction.org

Local Resources

• Soil: Beneficial Living Center, Arcata

• Native Plants: Samara Restoration, McKinleyville

• Diversions/Tanks: Leach Water Systems, Trinidad

• Management Plans, Consultations and Rainwater Catchment Systems: High Tide Permaculture, Arcata

WATER THROUGH A PERMACULTURE

LENS

This brochure introduces eight Permaculture-based strategies of design that

reduce the volume of water from diversions and the tap while meeting the irrigation

needs of planted environments.

www.hightidepermaculture.com www.facebook.com/hightidepermaculture

hightidepermaculture@gmail.com

(707) 633-5403 By Dan Mar High Tide Permaculture

Catch and Store • 1-inch of rain on 1,000 ft2 = 600

gallons. • Tanks and bladders filled

during the wet season from rooftops, retention ponds and springboxes.

• Other functions: Provides water for fire suppression, livestock.

Recycle • Water can be used many times

over and recharge systems down slope.

• Greywater from laundry, sinks and stocktanks.

• Other functions: Nutrient cycling and groundwater recharge.

  

Forest and Landscape Management Plans • Healthy forests require less

ground water than their overcrowded, monoculture counterparts. Landscapes of regionally appropriate plantings significantly reduce water needs.

• Clear understory and selectively cull small diameter trees. Plant from November to March to ensure deep and wide root development.

• Other functions: Reduces fuel load, pest populations and the potential for disease.

Microclimates • Sectors (wind, sun) can be

adapted to enhance favorable climactic environments.

• Windrows reduce soil desiccation and plant breakage.

• Other functions: Increases gas exchange due to multidirectional flow.

Recharge • Earthworks systems recharge

groundwater supplies. • Swales, infiltration basins and

retention ponds slow, spread and sink precipitation, runoff and overflow.

• Other functions: Reduces erosion, accumulates nutrients and enhances soil community.

Soils • Protect soil from desiccation at

planting site, pathways and surrounding areas.

• Year-round mulching, cover cropping and amending.

• Other functions: Reduces nutrient volatilization and suppresses weeds.

Irrigate • Prescribed volumes of water at

specific planting sites. • Drip irrigation. • Other functions: Liquid

amendment injection. Water Diversions and Regulations • Diversion assessments and

permits regulated by DFWS. • Up to 5,000 gallons of

rainwater for nonpotable purposes. Up to 250 gallons of greywater from laundry can be discharged into landscaped areas per day.