Here is some dialogue that may be of interest to everyone at church, regarding our forthcoming water usage and expense:

On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 9:16 PM, Beth Ann Robinson <badland1@bellsouth.net> wrote:

Thanks again for all of your efforts on this project!!! I really think it will prove worthwhile for years into the future.

Is there anything we can do to collect the water coming off of the roof? I don't think we have downspouts, but I'm sure there are some other creative ways to harness that valuable resource. I hope we can consider any options. Thanks.

 

Hi Beth,

 

I haven't figured out  how we can capture all that water.   I would love it if someone would take this rain water project and run with it. I have found a source of plastic, food-grade barrels in York, South Carolina, where they're sold for about $40.00 each. However, I've looked at the downspouts around our building, and their design presents a problem.   They end very low to the ground and were installed behind the stucco, inside the walls, where we can't easily get to them.   There is one pipe sticking out of the brick wall under Tara's office window that might be used somehow.   The slope of the land drops off sharply toward the garden right under it, and it might be possible to bury a barrel or a succession of them down the hill to catch the water coming out of that pipe. (Actually I haven't confirmed yet that it is, in fact, a downspout.)  The roof above it has no gutters, so I'm not sure where the pipe comes from.   It might be running under the foundation a long way from the flat part of the roof, over the office hall, or classrooms.

I guess this first year will be a sort of a "proving ground" to see if we want to continue this project annually.   I am encouraged so far, by the participation, interest and expertise that has been shown by everyone, and I hope it will become a regular event for us.   I hesitate to do any permanent alteration to the landscape without going through the PAC, Property, Board, general membership (or whichever is appropriate) approval process, until we know the garden will be an annual project.  Let's do some brainstorming and kick some ideas around.

We want to make sure that the cost of such a water-capturing contraption is not so expensive that it substantially reduces any benefit.   Any ideas you might have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dick