Just look out your window or read the news—there’s no escaping that we’re back in a drought emergency. In spite of this parched outlook, we can show you how to have your garden and water it, too, especially if you install greywater and rainwater harvesting systems. We recently designed and installed an award-winning* residential project in Sonoma that features both, and our clients are thrilled to be able to irrigate much of their landscaping using recycled household water and captured rain.
*This project was awarded recognition in 2020 by the California Landscape Contractors Association in the category of “Custom Residential Installation.”
The site: Located in a suburban Sonoma neighborhood, the project covers about a half-acre, including an existing small vineyard for home winemaking. Our clients wanted an English garden vibe, but with a water efficient California sensibility. The challenge: how to grow thirsty vegetation like a rose garden, berry bushes, vegetable beds and fruit trees while minimizing water usage.
Solution #1: Greywater. Equinox has installed many laundry-to-landscape greywater irrigation systems, but this is our first fully permitted one. The difference? Permits aren’t needed for recycling just laundry water, but if you want to irrigate with other household wastewater such as showers, bathtubs and household sinks, a permit is required. (Toilets are never allowed; they must drain to the sewer or septic system.) We secured the permits that now allow all other household drains to recycle their water into the landscaping. The result: Each year, this greywater system saves approximately 10,000 gallons of tap water for irrigating the landscape.
These thirsty roses are irrigated with greywater from household laundry, showers and sinks.
Solution #2: Rainwater Harvesting. We designed a system to capture rainwater from our clients’ home rooftop, directing the flow into a series of five storage tanks. Even in a relatively dry winter like we’ve had, this system can capture and store 8,000 gallons of water. It doesn’t take much: a 1,000 sq. ft. roof collects 625 gallons of water with only one inch of rain. Some of that water drains to a mulch basin, containing berry bushes, while the fruit trees and herb spiral also benefit from rainwater irrigation.
For aesthetic considerations, the largest storage tank is located behind panels planted with climbing star jasmine. Once fully grown, the shade-loving jasmine will cloak the tank while providing fragrant flowers for bees and other pollinators.
Other Design Features
Hardscaping. Landscape design is much more than plants, and this project includes some eye-catching stone-, wood- and metalwork.
Raised vegetable and flower beds are constructed of natural veneer stone with bluestone caps. Monolithic stone steps lead from the lower redwood grove to the vegetable garden, and gravel walkways wind throughout the gardens.
Art deco inspired laser-cut metal screens shield the porch and air conditioning unit.
Artwork. Our clients added delightfully colorful outdoor sculptures by Sacramento sculptor and fine artist Chris Efstratis. We think these bring the perfect touch of whimsy to complement the garden design.
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Dig Deeper:
We’ve mentioned him before, and it’s worth repeating. No one knows more about rainwater harvesting than author and conservation expert, Brad Lancaster. He lives in downtown Tucson, AZ, which receives less than 12 inches of rain per year, and he regularly catches more than 100,000 gallons of water annually. He literally wrote the book on the subject, Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond.
- Go to Brad Lancaster’s website for loads of great information.Watch Brad in action in this engaging 12-minute video tour of his home rainwater harvesting system.
- Check out more artwork by sculptor and fine artist Chris Efstratis.
Even during dry years, enough rain falls each winter to supply thousands of gallons of free irrigation water, if you capture and store it. Combined with a greywater irrigation system, drought-tolerant plants and smart landscape design, you can still enjoy a lush garden. Equinox, as a rule, only installs greywater systems as part of a greater landscape installation. Call us for a project estimate: 707-789-9786
