PowerPoint Presentation

Water Management and Conservation in the Landscape(outline)The Water CycleStormwater: runoff, conveyance and treatment with urban infrastructure, discharge into streams and rivers creating erosion/sediment, adding pollutants, raising temperaturePotable Water: pumping from ground and surface water resources, uses include landscape, toilets, etc. where potable is not requiredThe Objectiveto manage stormwater on-site and reduce demand for potable water

Storm Water Management LID (Low Impact Development) PracticesLID PracticesInfiltrationDisconnecting conveyance systems, slowing down the flowCapturing storm water and allowing it to filter into the groundExamples: disconnected downspouts, uncompacted soils, permeable surfaces, pervious paving, infiltration trenchesBioretentionCombining infiltration with plantings to process the storm waterUse of appropriate native, drought and wet tolerant plants , soils, and mulchesExamples: Rain Gardens, Bio Swales, Green Roofs

Rainwater HarvestingCapturing storm water and holding on-site for future useActive above or below ground cisterns, rain barrelsPassive directing flow to provide water to landscape plantingsCommon applications: landscape irrigation, toilet flushing

Native and Drought Tolerant LandscapingReducing the Need for potable water on-siteUse of appropriate native, drought and wet tolerant plants , soils, and mulchesTrees in canopy and understory intercept rainfall, reduce heat gain, provide habitatShrub and groundcover layer hold soil, filter runoff, provide habitatConserving natural areas, use of BayScaping, reducing areas requiring intensive maintenance and inputsMultifunctional Landscape Infrastructure (EPA concept): manage stormwater, ecological functions, human benefit

Efficient Irrigation SystemsReducing the Need for potable water on-siteEffective in delivering water directly to plants, minimal overspray and loss to evaporationWater is applied only as needed through intelligent systems, ET and weather based systems, sensors, etc.Drip and low-flow systems

Sustaining Virginia's Water Supply: Challenges and Strategies

A conference sponsored by the Committee on Stewardship of Creation,The Diocese of VirginiaSt. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia,Saturday, September 10, 2011

Landscaping and Building Strategies for Water Quality and Sustainability:Opportunities for Churches, Households, Farms and Municipalities

Chris Hale, ASLA LEEDLandscape ArchitectScott Kyle, A.I.A. LEED Architect

The Water Cycle

Image courtesy of the National Park ServiceStormwater: runoff, conveyance and treatment with urban infrastructure, discharge into streams and rivers creating erosion/sediment, adding pollutants, raising temperature

Potable Water: pumping from ground and surface water resources, uses include landscape, toilets, etc. where potable is not required

Basic Definitions:

Runoff = Water flowing over land following a storm event

Pervious Surface = Water can pass through (stormwater filters into the ground)

Impervious Surface = Water runs off (examples: asphalt, concrete, building roofs)

Low Impact Development (LID)EPA Definition:Low Impact Development (LID) is a stormwater management strategy that seeks to mitigate the impacts of increased runoff and stormwater pollution. LID comprises a set of site design approaches and small-scale stormwater management practices that promote the use of natural systems for infiltration, evapotranspiration, and reuse of rainwater. These practices can effectively remove nutrients, pathogens, and metals from stormwater, and they reduce the volume and intensity of stormwater flows. (EPA, 2007)

The Goal: to manage stormwater on-site and reduce demand for potable water

LID PracticesBIORETENTIONCombining infiltration with plantings to process the storm water

Use of appropriate native, drought and wet tolerant plants , soils, and mulches

Examples: Rain Gardens, Bio Swales, Green Roofs

INFILTRATIONDisconnecting conveyance systems, slowing down the flow

Capturing storm water and allowing it to filter into the ground

Examples: disconnected downspouts, uncompacted soils, permeable surfaces, pervious paving, infiltration trenches

RAINWATER HARVESTINGCapturing storm water and holding on-site for future use

Active cisterns, rain barrels

Passive directing flow to provide water to landscape

Common applications: landscape irrigation, toilet flushing

Native and Drought Tolerant Landscaping

Reducing the Need for potable water on-siteUse of appropriate native, drought and wet tolerant plants , soils, and mulchesTrees in canopy and understory intercept rainfall, reduce heat gain, provide habitatShrub and groundcover layer hold soil, filter runoff, provide habitatConserving natural areas, use of BayScaping, reducing areas requiring intensive maintenance and inputsMultifunctional Landscape Infrastructure (EPA concept): manage stormwater, ecological functions, human benefit

Efficient Irrigation Systems

Reducing the Need for potable water on-siteEffective in delivering water directly to plants, minimal overspray and loss to evaporationWater is applied only as needed through intelligent systems, ET and weather based systems, sensorsDrip and low-flow systemsUse of harvested rain water

Case Study: The Greening of Virginias Capitol

Case Study: The Greening of Virginias Capitol

Case Study: The Greening of Virginias Capitol

Case Study: The Greening of Virginias Capitol

Case Study: Science Museum of VA - BayScape

Case Study: River Road United Methodist Church

Case Study: River Road United Methodist Church

City of Richmond Stormwater Utility CreditsCredit Earned =1/2 *(stormwater fee) * (% of impervious area treated)

Credit Manuals and BMPs for Residential and Non-residential Propertieshttp://www.richmondgov.com/dpu/StormwaterCredits.aspx

Links - Design ResourcesThe James River Green Building Council (JRGBC)www.jrgbc.org

The Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES)www.sustainablesites.org

EPA Low Impact Developmenthttp://www.epa.gov/owow/NPS/lid/

EPA WaterSense Landscapinghttp://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/outdoor/landscaping.html

American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)www.asla.org

Plant More Plants (DCR)www.plantmoreplants.com