Volume 3 - Program & Project Ideas (PDF - 4.5 - Natural Life Network

Natural Resources Canada – Community Energy Systems
WATER USE OPPORTUNITIES
W.1.1 Water efficient landscaping
Water efficient landscaping involves seven steps: design, including the grading,
positioning of plants and drainage; adding organic materials to clays and sandy soils to
improve the nutrient holding capacity; reducing the turf areas; mulching to reduce weed
growth and hold moisture; irrigating plants following a zone system and watering
according to plant needs and using water-saving methods; placing plants so that those
with similar water needs are placed together; and proper maintenance, such as mowing
and fertilizing.
• Water efficient landscaping reduces maintenance time and costs, as well as
water use by as much as 60 per cent.
Source: CMHC. 2000. Practices for Sustainable Communities, p141-142. For additional
information, contact the Department of Horticultural Science, University of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, SASK S7N 0W0.
W.1.2 Roof top gardens
(See roof top gardens under the building planning opportunities section)
Roof top gardens, such as in the above photo
from Dakar, can reduce the water runoff rate
and volume by up to 75 per cent, filter
pollutants from water, and reduce the
temperature of the water runoff, causing less
environmental impact.
W.1.3 Storm water management-drainage techniques
Downspouts or eaves troughs transfer water from roofs to the ground level. In some
cases these downspouts are directly attached to the municipal sewage system. In built
neighbourhoods downspouts are disconnected; in new developments, they are prohibited.
• Storm water runs off naturally into the ground, oils and other materials can be
naturally filtered, reducing the impact on rivers and streams.
• Water can be stored and used to irrigate plants and lawns.
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