Comments on: The two faces of rainwater http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2008/07/22/the-two-faces-of-rainwater/ Environmental reporter Christopher Dunagan discusses the challenges of protecting Puget Sound and all things water-related. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:06:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Art http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2008/07/22/the-two-faces-of-rainwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1007 Art Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:59:13 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/?p=702#comment-1007 The surface water right issue is a detriment to rainwater harvesting. I would hope that DOE would allow any amount off a roof to be collected for stormwater mitigation, so long as it is returned to the environment at a later time based on an approved water budget. DOE does not require a surface water right for the volumes collected in stormwater vaults or detention ponds (all with delayed release) - Why should they require a surface water right for the stored stormwater when it is release back into the environment? It would reduce the volume of runoff that damages streams during the rainy season and all the water to be released in drier times, helping stream flows when they need it. The surface water right issue is a detriment to rainwater harvesting. I would hope that DOE would allow any amount off a roof to be collected for stormwater mitigation, so long as it is returned to the environment at a later time based on an approved water budget. DOE does not require a surface water right for the volumes collected in stormwater vaults or detention ponds (all with delayed release) – Why should they require a surface water right for the stored stormwater when it is release back into the environment? It would reduce the volume of runoff that damages streams during the rainy season and all the water to be released in drier times, helping stream flows when they need it.

]]> By: Sharon O'Hara http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2008/07/22/the-two-faces-of-rainwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1005 Sharon O'Hara Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:54:57 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/?p=702#comment-1005 JJD wrote a great earlier comment on growing pecan trees in a place foreign to them and where they must be irrigated from the (Rio Grande?) Why do we allow crops in unsuitable places and take needed water from our rivers to water them? He also mentioned vast cattle lots being watered from the Rio Grande and the resulting residue going into the groundwater and flowing back into the Rio. That is a lot of urine. Sharon O'Hara JJD wrote a great earlier comment on growing pecan trees in a place foreign to them and where they must be irrigated from the (Rio Grande?)

Why do we allow crops in unsuitable places and take needed water from our rivers to water them?

He also mentioned vast cattle lots being watered from the Rio Grande and the resulting residue going into the groundwater and flowing back into the Rio. That is a lot of urine.

Sharon O’Hara

]]> By: SmartAlec http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2008/07/22/the-two-faces-of-rainwater/comment-page-1/#comment-997 SmartAlec Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:24:01 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/?p=702#comment-997 It is terrific that there is a place to have this discussion. The water table isn't something to be messed with. Pave everything and see what happens to human life, aquatic life, the lives that require the existence of aquatic life, the streams, lakes, wells, and other important connections of which I'm too tired to think. Several years ago I met with an expert (no, not a pol) in Olympia about salmon and our environment. What I learned was shocking and humbling. We are, all of us, reliant on this water. It truly is a chain. If more than a few people don't start getting this, we're in more than serious trouble. It is terrific that there is a place to have this discussion.

The water table isn’t something to be messed with. Pave everything and see what happens to human life, aquatic life, the lives that require the existence of aquatic life, the streams, lakes, wells, and other important connections of which I’m too tired to think.

Several years ago I met with an expert (no, not a pol) in Olympia about salmon and our environment. What I learned was shocking and humbling. We are, all of us, reliant on this water. It truly is a chain. If more than a few people don’t start getting this, we’re in more than serious trouble.

]]> By: Sharon O'Hara http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2008/07/22/the-two-faces-of-rainwater/comment-page-1/#comment-993 Sharon O'Hara Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:20:46 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/?p=702#comment-993 "...If the new homes also had a septic waste drain field, most of the water would go into the ground to feed streams and aqua firs. This type of house does require a quarter acre or more of land and developers are placing new houses (with sewer system) into smaller building lots...." How would clustering the homes work for a greener world? The builder could add x acres of green open space to accommodate the septics. “…If the new homes also had a septic waste drain field, most of the water would go into the ground to feed streams and aqua firs. This type of house does require a quarter acre or more of land and developers are placing new houses (with sewer system) into smaller building lots….”

How would clustering the homes work for a greener world? The builder could add x acres of green open space to accommodate the septics.

]]> By: James Brady http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2008/07/22/the-two-faces-of-rainwater/comment-page-1/#comment-991 James Brady Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:49:12 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/?p=702#comment-991 Rain barrels are great for plants that are sensitive to chlorine added to drinking water piped to our homes. Rain barrels have a very small impact on the storm water problem. If new homes were built with roofs of enamel steel or fiberglass tiles that feed four 1,000 gallon plastic tanks, having the low flush toilets and whole house water filter, they would not need to be connected to the local water well system. They would have an impact on storm water run off until all four tanks are filled. If the new homes also had a septic waste drain field, most of the water would go into the ground to feed streams and aqua firs. This type of house does require a quarter acre or more of land and developers are placing new houses (with sewer system) into smaller building lots. They are thinking about green money not a green world. Rain barrels are great for plants that are sensitive to chlorine added to drinking water piped to our homes. Rain barrels have a very small impact on the storm water problem.

If new homes were built with roofs of enamel steel or fiberglass tiles that feed four 1,000 gallon plastic tanks, having the low flush toilets and whole house water filter, they would not need to be connected to the local water well system. They would have an impact on storm water run off until all four tanks are filled. If the new homes also had a septic waste drain field, most of the water would go into the ground to feed streams and aqua firs. This type of house does require a quarter acre or more of land and developers are placing new houses (with sewer system) into smaller building lots. They are thinking about green money not a green world.

]]> By: Sharon O'Hara http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2008/07/22/the-two-faces-of-rainwater/comment-page-1/#comment-988 Sharon O'Hara Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:27:13 +0000 http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/?p=702#comment-988 Seems to me private property rainfall collected from the rooftop and stored should be the property owners business and not require a permit...but have not considered fish habitat nor wells that might be affected. If any. Sharon O'Hara Seems to me private property rainfall collected from the rooftop and stored should be the property owners business and not require a permit…but have not considered fish habitat nor wells that might be affected. If any.
Sharon O’Hara

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