Just Add Water

Architect Steve Chambers next to a residential 'rain chain' used to direct water from the roof, away from foundation, and toward the landscaping

In the film, Jean de Florette, Provencal villager, Cesar, blocks the flow of spring water to land purchased by Jean to grow vegetables and raise rabbits. Cesar hopes to force Jean to sell his land so that he can reopen the spring to grow and peddle carnations. Eventually, Cesar acquires the property after Jean works himself to death conveying water from a distant source to his parched farm. The neighbors remain silent, even though they are aware of the wrongdoing. What results in this film and its sequel, Manon of Spring, is riveting storytelling inherent with mythical symbolism. And while most of us may never struggle to this extent over water, its value as the source of life and healing does not escape us.  Its use in all major religions as a symbol for purification makes sense. Our planet and bodies are close to 70% water. Our brains and trees are two-thirds water. Water runs freely through the plumbing systems in most American homes.

We take this abundance for granted. Yet, 97% of the world's water is saltwater or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2% is held in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves just one percent for all of humanity's needs -agricultural, residential, manufacturing, and community usage. The average U.S. citizen uses between eighty and one hundred gallons of water every day.

A yard with drought resistant, native plants and a soaker system to reduce water runoff

In the southwest, water is often rationed and droughts are a constant concern for farmers, ranchers, and homeowners. Conversely, the abundance of water produced during rainstorms is a problem because of the erosion that it causes and the stress that it exerts on our municipal drainage systems. Residential rainwater collection, an old farming solution to scarcity, is being revived as a 'green' practice. Collection of clean water is important to conservation, the protection of our lands and water, and to the improvement of our health and wellbeing.

Stephen B. Chambers, AIA, and Shane Garthoff, Landscape Architect, worked together on the design of this sustainable home and landscaping (pictured). This home's garden was chosen by The Garden Conservancy as one of the "Best 7 Private Gardens in Dallas for 2010." The Conservancy says of it that, "this modern Texas garden is a model for sustainability in the urban environment. Through capture and re-use of natural rainfall, propagation of native plants and use of honest, appropriate materials, this garden succeeds in reducing its footprint on the environment. Bold, simple detailing and architectural approach to site design result in a variety of micro-environments, and the seamless integration of interior and exterior spaces." Steve Chambers suggests these simple things homeowners can do to make a difference and become part of the solution rather than contribute further to our environmental problems:

Residential cistern to collect rainwater from roof to use as supplementary irrigation for yard

1. Respect and work with existing topography, drainage conditions, and plant material on your property.

2. Consider the use of holding ponds and water features if flaws in your landscape lead to significant water runoff.

3. Choose drought tolerant plants.

4. Learn about plants that provide a cooling effect from a landscaper or nursery.

5. Minimize lawn areas that need a lot of water in order to reduce the need for irrigation.

6. Use drip irrigation to reduce evaporation and runoff.

7. Improve the soil quality in your landscaping to increase water retention.

8. When designing a new home or landscape, create serenity in your environment by connecting people to outdoor views.

9. Keep your site clean using natural and biological processes (organic gardening) to maintain continuous renewal of uncontaminated water.

10. Use a water theme to encourage stewardship of water resources, promote understanding of the dependence of living systems on water, and to connect guests and people who drive by your home to nature's seasonal cycles.

11. Specify low water fixtures and appliances to reduce demand for water use when replacing old ones.

12. Recycle wastewater from the sink to reclaim water in locales where gray water irrigation is legal..

13. Use rainwater collection systems like cisterns to provide supplementary irrigation for landscaping, thereby reducing the demand for municipal drinking water.

14. Even small efforts, reducing the amount of time that you allow water to run when you brush your teeth, pre-rinse dishes, and wash hands makes a difference in water conservation.

15. Use native plants to provide a habitat for wildlife to forage. Certifying your yard as a National Wildlife Federation Habitat is amazingly easy and can be done with your children or grandchildren. Go online and make it happen at: http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/certify

The Ruins of Quarai, an Early Native American 'Sustainable' Village in New Mexico

The construction, location, operation, and maintenance of this prehistoric pueblo, below, suggest that Tiwa Indians in New Mexico understood water conservation and sustainability. Their central fortified plazas formed from local materials utilized a spring-fed irrigation system enabling multiple families to practice subsistence farming and raise animals for hides and food, providing surplus for sale or trade. Life in the village was administered through a moiety—two community divisions: one responsible for summer activities, another for winter. There was no social hierarchy and both men and women served as builders and stonemasons. All of these practices led not only to ecological, but aesthetic harmony between the structure and its natural surroundings, improving the health and wellbeing of its occupants.  Many sustainable practices aren't that new. They are just great ideas recycled for use in modern life that help us care for our precious land and water sources!