| To show
Orange County residents how they can reduce water pollution and conserve
water, Coastkeeper is helping turn local homes into LID demonstrations! Ultimately,
we seek to reduce the amount of polluted urban runoff from residential
properties in Orange County while also reducing the use of imported water
and putting more water in our aquifers.
We have all 10 LID homewoners, and are proud to announce
that 4 are complete! Stay tuned for details on the process
1. LaMar Residence, Irvine
- The Project: The LaMars replaced their gutter and added rain
chain that empties into a clay pot. The pot is connected to an underground
pipe that discharges into a dry creek and then empties into a detention
basin. The LaMars also installed water-saving irrigation and replaced
their lawn with California Friendly vegatation.
- Homeowner's Perspective: Jeanne LaMar, "I wanted to pull
out the turf in my front yard for water conservation, and then through
the LID Project I learned how we could also improve water quality and
have lower maintenance. We chose drought-tolerant plants that were most
flowering and aromatic- I like to call it a 'California Cottage' theme."
- Who made it happen?: LID Consultant Doug Kent
2. Levine Residence, Trabuco
Canyon
- The Project: Two rain barrels and a dry well were installed
on the main house. A French drain collects water from the guest house
and channels it into a rain garden.
- Homeowner's Perspective: Jodi is the director of Earthroots
Field School, and involved her students in the process. "Advice for
other homeowners... Go for it! I am so happy with the re-landscaped
area of my yard. This is motivation for me to continue improving and
catching rainwater throughout the yard."
- Who made it happen?: LID Consultant Doug Kent, Permaculture
Designer Deanna Moore, Contractor Chris Omer, and Earthroots Field School
students
3. Westropp Residence, Laguna
Hills
- The Project: The Westropps installed a dry creek that channels
water from their rain gutter to a detention basin. They removed the
turf from the parkways and next to the driveway and replaced it with
decomposed granite, and are in the process of swapping their vegetation
over to California Friendly.
- Homeowner's Perspective: The Westropps were already committed
to green practices, such as installing solar power and making biodiesel.
Most recently, they took a second look at their front yard. "There's
a whole disconnect, living in a desert climate and having a home with
a lawn," said Marsha Westropp, watershed planner at OCWD.
- Who made it happen?: LID Consultant Doug Kent
4. May Residence,Laguna Niguel
- The Project: The May residence installed a stream bed leading
to a detention basin, MP Rotator sprinklers and desert and coastal vegetation
zones.
- Homeowner's Perspective: Ron May, a green builder involved
with the U.S. Green Building Council, "As a longtime surfer, water is
a real passion for me. As a contractor, I often leave early in the morning
for work, and see the floods coming down the street from people over-watering
their lawns."
- Who made it happen?: LID Consultant Doug Kent
Background:
What's the Problem? We
use too much water! In Orange County, 50% to 70% of water used at
home is applied to the landscape. This increases the strain on our
water supply, half of which is imported from the Colorado River and Sacramento
Delta. Also, when people overwater their landscapes, excess runoff
that spills onto sidewalks and streets can carry pollutants such as fertilizers,
pesticides, bacteria, oil and metals into our local waterways.
Why use LID in residences? Orange County is largely
urbanized; therefore, to achieve water quality and water conservation
objectives we must engage local residents. "By managing runoff
close to its source, LID can enhance the local environment, protect public
health, and improve community livability." -
Urban Design Tools
How does our project
work? Coastkeeper will:
1. Review regulations and local
ordinances that could impede BMP activies
2.
Identify residential sites in Orange County for BMP implementation
3.Assist
homeowners in identifying and selecting, cost-effective BMP retrofits
for each site.
4.
Assist the land-owner in connecting with qualified contractors to perform
the work.
5.
Subsidize the installation of the BMP retrofit
6.
Collect water runoff, water quality, water usage, groundwater recharge,
and cost data from each site.
7.
Analyzing the data to produce:
(a)
documentation of water savings due to decreased water use and increased
infiltration to restore groundwater
(b)
A rebate/incentive formula
(c)
recommendations for revision of relevant stormwater regulations
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