An FOJ Program about Solutions
by Diana Parker
Speakers:
We know that we have problems due to Global Warming, Drought, and Dead Zones in the Chesapeake Bay. But what can WE do about them? The April 08 FOJ Bayscapes Program gave us some possibilities to consider.
From the ACB Bayscapes Guide (click to download pdf) we learn that 1 inch of rain on a 1,000 square foot roof generates about 623 gallons of water.
Homeowners and businesses experience the expense, power, and destruction of this force if we do not install devices such as gutters and downspouts to divert the flow around our foundations and plants. If we do not contain or find uses for the runoff, the displaced water and sediment will find its way to our lower land, our roads with further soil displacement, and onward to community BMP’s, VDOT ditches or drain fields.These must be cleaned and maintained, creating further locality expense.
Eventually, excess finds its way to our larger water bodies. Since I live in Chesterfield, I’m keenly aware that sediment and runoff from development affects Pocahontas State Park Lakes, the Swift Creek Reservoir, and lead to the death of Falling Creek Lake as a Reservoir source. Further, Central Virginia rivers and creeks feed the Chesapeake Bay, an endangered treasure that gives us our the pleasure of Blue Crabs, Perch, Croakers, and the Menhaden fishing industries. The Bay and the creatures therein are endangered by pollution, fertilizers and sediment from runoff.
We learned at the April Program from Matt Carr that Hydrotech has helped industries, including small businesses, and homeowners by designing greenroofs with savings of 50-70% rainfall capture, longevity of the roof structure, insulating properties, quieter, cooler air decreasing “heat island” effect, improving air quality, and increasing habitat for birds and insects. Clients will require a structural engineer to ensure the stability and weight requirements are determined. Low moisture plants such as sedum are the ideal to handle droughts and rain mixes. The depth of the soil will determine type of plants or trees to be used.
See:
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay (www.alliancechesbay.org) provides guidance and articles on its website on how to develop rain gardens, small or large which will contain reduce runoff velocity and allow filtration. Chris French, ACB Virginia Director advised native plants are promoted which will withstand Virginia’s droughts, heat, and variable cold winter temperatures. Trees provide the benefits of reducing heating and cooling costs, sheltering and feeding wildlife, cleansing the air by absorption of carbon dioxide and nutrients; and reduction of the impacts of stormwater runoff by reducing erosion. In addition to the guide mentioned in paragraph 2 refer also to: Bayscaping for Wildlife (click to download pdf)
Finally, Karin Gordon brought 3 Rainbarrels to our meeting which she had constructed. These were available for sale and she gave us full demonstration on the construction she used, the sources of raw materials for downspouts, faucets—both the high tech and the low tech methods of filtering and provided handouts. She even gave a demonstration on how to paint the rain barrels to blend with home décor.
This is something beneficial that anyone can do—from small single barrel capture with dip and pour on patio planters to inter-connected barrels to full-blown cisterns. The ACB Bayscapes Guide mentioned in paragraph 2 has details. Notice Scott’s FOJ Blog has this rain barrel source:
http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva/rainbarrels.htm
My husband has added his own water saving tip by capturing our air conditioning runoff in plastic litter containers for use in the washing machine or toilet. We can make a difference.