Ideas for conserving water with style

Install systems to capture and hold rain water. It’s called “rain harvesting,” The simplest approach is the traditional rain barrel. The latest method is similar to a large waterbed. Called a rainwater pillow by one manufacturer, it holds 700 to 200,000 gallons, fits under a deck or walkout and can be fitted with a pump to direct water anywhere you want to provide irrigation.
Build berms, bog gardens or ornamental fish ponds to collect runoff. Use scraps of pond liner rather than fully lining gardens so excess water can slowly seep into the ground instead of running into the storm sewer.
Use permeable pavers, porous concrete or porous asphalt that will allow water to seep into the ground rather than run off down the driveway or sidewalk. This type of hardscape can be installed to direct excess water into a retention area for use later.

Converting a 50-foot by 100-foot turfgrass lawn in the Western United States to shrubs, flowers, gardens and drought-tolerant trees would reduce annual water consumption from 100,000 gallons per year to 35,000 gallons; water costs from $300 to $100; maintenance costs from $1,200 to $200; and maintenance time from 300 hours to 50.

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