Resources
Resources for water conservation
529
Leave It Better WM
A partnership between Navajo County, the City of Show Low, the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside, the American Ground Water Trust and Arizona Water Company.
✨Infiltration Basins💧 ![]()
Infiltration basins are a key passive rainwater harvesting technique that allows large amounts of water to soak into the ground instead of running off and becoming water waste.![]()
![]()
🔹 Infiltration basins are wide, flat depressions designed to capture rainwater or stormwater runoff. They are highly effective at maximizing rainwater absorption. This slow absorption helps to replenish and recharge groundwater supplies. 🌊 ![]()
![]()
🔹 By adding vegetation within the basin, this can filter various pollutants, stabilize soil, and support plant growth. 🌲 🌱
✨Swales💧![]()
Ever heard of swales? These shallow trenches are a natural and effective way to slow down, spread across, and direct water across your landscape instead of letting it run off too quickly or stay in one spot.![]()
![]()
🔹 Unlike basins that hold water in one spot, swales are meant to help guide water to new locations throughout the landscape. 🏞️ ![]()
![]()
🔹 Often, swales are dug along contour lines within the landscape. This helps to prevent erosion and maximize water absorption for groundwater systems and plants.🌿 ![]()
![]()
🔹 Swales can not only help to benefit the health of plants, but can also keep water from flooding in unwanted areas of your yard or garden. They create a pathway for water to travel to where it is needed more. 👍
✨Berm & Basin💧 ![]()
Looking for a natural way to capture and store rainwater? The Berm and Basin technique is a simple and effective passive rainwater harvesting method that works with the land to maximize water use!![]()
![]()
🔹 The soil removed from the basin (shallow depression in the ground) is used to create the berm (raised mound of earth) around the basin's perimeter, forming a barrier to prevent water from flowing away. ![]()
![]()
🔹 By creating these small water-holding areas, rainwater slowly infiltrates into the soil, keeping plants hydrated naturally! This method is ideal for sloped land with a 3:1 ratio and helps prevent runoff. ![]()
![]()
🔹 PLUS, creating basins around your trees encourages stronger, outward root growth, helping trees to stay healthy and anchored. 🌲 🌳 ![]()
![]()
💡 Have you tried berm and basin designs in your yard? If not, here are some great free resources (courtesy of Arizona Water Company) to further educate yourself and start your very own Berm & Basin system: ⬇️ watershedmg.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020_fall_byob_zine_english_0.pdf![]()
youtu.be/14eEj52uzZo
Passive Rainwater Harvesting, also known as "earthworks," is when landscape designs are used to direct and slow water down to encourage it to soak into the ground to water the landscape and plants. 🌲 🌱 ![]()
![]()
• Passive rainwater systems are the foundation for a sustainable active rainwater system, so before you look into developing and implementing an active system, make sure you have a strong passive system in place! 🌧️ ![]()
![]()
❓Why Passive Rainwater Harvesting❓![]()
🌿 Supports a sustainable landscape with less reliance on irrigation.![]()
💧 Helps rainwater soak into the soil instead of running off.![]()
🌦️ A heavy rain can eliminate the need to water for up to three days!![]()
![]()
By shaping the land to work with water instead of against it, passive systems can help maximize every drop! 🌍 🌦️
Rainwater harvesting is the practice of collecting and using rainwater as close to its source instead of letting it run off. Why let all that free water go to waste when you can put it to good use?![]()
![]()
✨ Why Harvest Rainwater?![]()
✅ It’s free water for landscaping that requires little to no treatment!![]()
✅ Helps manage stormwater and reduce runoff.![]()
✅ Can be used indoors after proper filtration and disinfection.![]()
✅ Reduces dependence on city water.![]()
![]()
There are two types of rainwater harvesting (called active and passive!), and both methods are legal to practice in Arizona. Not to mention, rain water harvesting is a great way to conserve water in our often dry environment! 💧 🌲 🍃
Arizona Water Company
American Groundwater Trust
Email: [email protected]
Website: agwt.org
Town of Pinetop - Lakeside
Navajo County
City of Show Low
