Rainwater CAPTURE

Originally Posted: July 2, 2011

Rain HARVESTING, Creating and Replenishing AQUIFERS, Reviving WATERSHEDS, Storing RAINWATER

aq·ui·fer (n) a layer of permeable rock, sand, or gravel through which groundwater flows, containing enough water to supply wells and springs (Encarta® World English Dictionary © 1999 Microsoft Corporation.)

Most aquifers are replenished by rain. However, rainwater now rarely seeps into the ground because of massive tree cutting, deforestation, agriculture, urban sprawl and other phenomena. Rivers, wells and pumps are drying-up. Sadly, in some places even trees suffer from the effects of drought-like conditions.

Compared to Global Warming and Climate Change, water shortage (and heavy downpours) are a more dangerous threat because they are devastating and their effects are getting worse annually.

The solution presented here cannot solve our water crisis. That needs many solutions and huge amounts of money. However, as this proposal can help alleviate the crisis in many areas with faster results and lower costs in an environmentally safe and sustainable manner the Research and Development work should be done now and not later.

The proponent is personally-funding R&D with 2 ponds (as described below.) Naturally growing TIBIG trees that have been protected and saved in the area around the ponds are growing well. It is generally believed that their root systems absorb and store water. Later, particularly in the DRY season, stored water is released to well-springs (sibuls or bucals) in the vicinity.

This is a time-driven project. The TIBIG trees have to grow to maturity over many years. With 2+ years into this project and with initial observations looking good, the proponent is convinced he is on the right track. What do you think? Can you help with ideas, suggestions and funding support? Your feedback, comments and assistance in any form will be kindly appreciated. As usual, results will be published in this website and shared with everyone for FREE – especially to those who can them most.

In the DRY SEASON, because very little rainwater seeps or gets-absorbed into the ground, drought-like conditions can prevail.

We propose building these Rainwater Capture or Harvesting ponds with the features described above and in locations where TIBIG trees flourish. 

Objective:

To saturate the ground -- around and underneath -- the rain capture ponds with water. A drainage system that allows water to flow into a gravel field and the surrounding area. during the rainy season should help. TIBIG trees, other trees and vegetation should also help.

Results Desired: 

1. Sibuls, bucals or well-springs will be created.
2. Water will be available from a shallow well or can be manually pumped in the vicinity.
3. Determine if TIBIG trees really store water in their root systems or elsewhere.
4. Minimize water run-off, erosion, silting of stream & rivers, landslides and flooding in the area.
5. Improve tree and vegetation growth in vicinity of pond.

Other SIGNIFICANT Factors:

1. The site should have existing or was previously populated with TIBIG trees.
2. It should be in the path-of or in-a-confluence of flowing rainwater.
3. The possibility of refilling the ponds from nearby well-springs, streams or rivers is preferable.
4. The pond proposed here differs from previously designed and recommended rainwater catchment ponds in two ways:

·        It includes a drainage system that will allow water to continuously drain from it during the WET or Rain Season so that the ground – around and under the pond – will allow absorption and storage of water.

·        Selected trees and vegetation (like the TIBIG Trees) will be identified, studied and propagated around and in the vicinity of the ponds so that water absorbed into the ground will also be “stored” by these trees and vegetaion.

Pictures of proponent’s ponds and TIBIG Trees

These pictures were taken on June 15 and June 30, 2011. These ponds were built before the 2010 Rain Season. They were re-dug and made bigger & deeper before the 2011 Rain Season. They are on their 2^nd year of service of capturing rainwater, preventing run-off and allowing captured rainwater to be absorbed into the ground after every rainfall. With a capacity of about 50 cubic meters each and 50 rainfalls every year, these 2 ponds prevent at least 5,000 cubic meters of rainwater from running downhill and adding to severe flooding in nearby Laguna de Bay. They also cause said water to be absorbed into the ground to replenish the aquifer.

Below are pictures of TIBIG trees. These trees are prolific in the area as evidenced by the presence of a few full-frown trees. As their fruits have no edible value, the trees including young seedlings are often cut down when land is cleared or when overgrown grass and weeds have to be removed. Observe that in one picture below, growth is coming from a trunk that has previously been chopped down. This study – that emphasizes in protecting young TIBIG seedlings from eradication and eventual extinction – will hopefully protect biodiversity and ecosystems too.

N o t e s :

The June 11-17, 2011 issue of The Economist carries a relevant article entitled China and opposition to dams: Choking on the Three Gorges that says:

"RAIN along the middle and lower Yangzi River this week has helped alleviate the region’s worst drought in 50 years. But it has not doused a storm of criticism of the Three Gorges dam upriver, including allegations that it contributed to the disaster." 

and later also says: 

"Its effect on the drought is difficult to prove. Officials deny assertions that the dam and its more than 600-km (370-mile) reservoir might have affected the regional climate. But one official, Wang Jingquan of the Yangzi’s Water Resources Committee, conceded that the dam had lowered water levels in two of the country’s biggest freshwater lakes, making the impact worse. The rapid lowering of the reservoir’s level has also raised fears of landslides and earthquakes. Probe International, a Canadian NGO, published a report on June 1st by Chinese government experts saying the dam had caused “significantly increased” seismic activity."

See: http://www.economist.com/node/18806177

It is interesting to observe that water, when stored in massive quantities in huge dams like the Three Gorges, can affect climate change, lower water levels in freshwater lakes downriver and possibly cause drought, landslides and earthquakes in the area.

Needless to say, the absence or un-unavailability of water for drinking, cooking and food production can be fatal and dangerous. Innovative efforts to collect, save and store rainwater using natural methods that are environmentally friendly should be encouraged, supported and pursued.

We hope to help in the latter.

Please check out these relevant topics also:

Overcoming DROUGHT with the Plant ROOT Injector at http://www.biofuelswork.com/INJECTOR/Injector.htm (March 24, 2011)

Mitigating DROUGHT at http://www.biofuelswork.com/DROUGHT/Drought.htm (May 1, 2011)

Harvesting RAIN at http://www.biofuelswork.com/RAIN/Harvesting.htm (June 18, 2011)

Storing RAIN at http://www.biofuelswork.com/RAIN/Storing.htm (July 2, 2011)

Or visit our homepage at http://www.biofuelswork.com for other interesting topics. Thank you.