A rainwater catchment system for the expanded school garden which would be located next to the Orcas Island School District Office building was proposed to the school board by Madie Murray of Farm to Cafeteria, and was unanimously approved at the District board meeting last night, May 24.
The proposal is for a 5,000-gallon system with water captured from the District Office and/or Elementary School roof to a new rainwater catchment system to provide irrigation for the garden and help minimize the cost of the increased use of water required by the expanded garden area (approximately 8,000 sq.ft.) As a reference, one inch of rain equals 600 captured gallons and we average 28-29” of rain per year in this area.
The cost is estimated to be between $6-7,000, most if not all of which will be paid for by donations and grants:
- Dave Abrams, a new resident of Orcas Island is contributing $2,500 towards the catchment and drip delivery system;
- a Whole Foods Garden Grant for $2,000 will be received shortly;
- design and consultingservices are being contributed by past president of the American Rainwater Catchment System Association Tim Pope from Friday Harbor.
Additional costs will be covered whole or in part by the San Juan Islands Conservation District’s Water Conservation Program funding.
Installation this summer will facilitate full use of the catchment system for watering the expanded school garden by spring 2013.
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