Fighting Drought With an Ancient Practice: Harvesting the Rain | Retro Report

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  • čas přidán 19. 04. 2023
  • Ancient methods of collecting and storing rainwater are being used to address severe drought today. Lesson plan for educators: www.retroreport.org/education...
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Komentáře • 717

  • @jurnalprasetyo
    @jurnalprasetyo Před rokem +742

    In Indonesia there is an old man fighting for water conservation by plant a lot of Banyan trees on a barren mountain, amazingly after a few years it was done so many watersprings spring up from places that used to be dry. We called him Mbah Sadiman, you can find his success stories on youtube. Let's protect our water.

    • @rahulkohli6811
      @rahulkohli6811 Před rokem +31

      Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story

    • @NiekeAkosah-jv5ft
      @NiekeAkosah-jv5ft Před rokem +20

      Such a shame that the videos of mbah Sadiman do not have English translations.

    • @jurnalprasetyo
      @jurnalprasetyo Před rokem

      @@NiekeAkosah-jv5ft unfortunately there is few videos about Sadiman w/ eng subtitles czcams.com/video/zL1e2X74a3A/video.html

    • @seahorserider33
      @seahorserider33 Před 11 měsíci +36

      thank you for sharing! Let's start with stopping private companies like Nestle from limiting access to fresh water

    • @louloubell6586
      @louloubell6586 Před 11 měsíci +19

      That's great. It would help stop erosion of the soil too.

  • @kolsen6330
    @kolsen6330 Před 9 měsíci +14

    In Tacoma, Washington it is illegal to collect the water from your roof because it belongs to the county. They also charge a "storm water fee" to pay for the storm drains on the streets. I ran all the downspouts into the old, unused septic tank and stopped having to water the back lawn. Of course I didnt bother the city asking for permits.

  • @funtime-gq8ju
    @funtime-gq8ju Před 9 měsíci +8

    We need more ppl like him

  • @helgavierich4762
    @helgavierich4762 Před 10 měsíci +89

    this reminds me of the role of beavers on North America and western Eurasia. To capture the water during the rainy season, to slow down the surface flow and associated erosion, is vital. “Making water go further” means fundamentally altering regional hydrology with some quite simple steps: especially saving rainwater!

    • @pauldurkee4764
      @pauldurkee4764 Před 9 měsíci +6

      We have recognised the importance of beavers in the UK for water management and ecosystems, there are a number of beaver projects active to reintroduce them to the landscape. So we now have wild breeding beavers again in the UK.

  • @karenmbbaxter
    @karenmbbaxter Před rokem +233

    This is normal in Australia because our water, utlities etc have all gone up so much in price.....It's actually cheaper to sustain yourself with solar electricity, harvesting water etc.

    • @marieslabbert6009
      @marieslabbert6009 Před rokem +19

      The same with us in South Africa.

    • @diy5729
      @diy5729 Před rokem +34

      Ponds, ponds and more ponds needed. Trees bring the rains.

    • @keithmoore5224
      @keithmoore5224 Před rokem +10

      Simple way to save water junk the bath use a shower

    • @Truthseeker371
      @Truthseeker371 Před rokem +15

      In Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, we had drought of 6 years till 2021. Though there are famous gigantic cascades there, installing irrigation system is not easy. Pooling water and choosing crops that don't require much water is so far effective.

    • @hader5382
      @hader5382 Před rokem +1

      😮​@@Truthseeker371 ع ❤1❤

  • @ammarahmed5981
    @ammarahmed5981 Před rokem +52

    This is awesome. I couldn't get fresh water for my plants and then I realized and started collecting water from air conditioning outlet of neighbors to water my plants.

    • @jow6845
      @jow6845 Před 9 měsíci +4

      you can keep a bucket in the shower as well - that’s good for plants - use eco soap to help

  • @deborahmcsweeney3349
    @deborahmcsweeney3349 Před 10 měsíci +171

    I've been doing rainwater catchment for over 15 years here in KS. I was born and raised in Tempe AZ so my life was focused on the real scarcity of water. I wish more people would do this. It just makes sense. We can't wait until there is a crisis, we need to do it now so there isn't a crisis! Thank you for sharing this!!

    • @willalaseter3682
      @willalaseter3682 Před 9 měsíci +5

      I would love to do a rain water container but I was under the impression that it was illegal to store rain water by the federal government. As a matter of fact one of my neighbors in Alabama used to hide her rain barrel! Confused 🤔

    • @xepheru3067
      @xepheru3067 Před 9 měsíci +5

      ​@@willalaseter3682 the government is so cruel, how can a human being condone making it illegal to conserve what falls from the sky?

    • @willalaseter3682
      @willalaseter3682 Před 9 měsíci +1

      @@xepheru3067 I know right. But it's all about the Benjamins 💵💰

    • @smplfi9859
      @smplfi9859 Před 9 měsíci

      Thank you for advocating for creating paths of prosperity rather than advocating water rationing how many communists want it in California and in Tempe.

    • @cchavezjr7
      @cchavezjr7 Před 9 měsíci +4

      @@willalaseter3682 The laws vary state to state. Some states allow it, some allow it under certain specifications and some don't allow it in any form.

  • @infinite5795
    @infinite5795 Před rokem +190

    We Indians have Baolis aka Step-wells and temple/field tanks, in Odisha, we call them Pushkarinis( from Sanskrit), and Pokharis/Gardias(in Odia) from the 3rd century BCE times, as in Khandagiri and Udayagiri regions of Bhubaneswar.
    Basically, rain water was collected at a higher place and made to flow through small canals into farmer fields or made stagnant into pools for public and temple uses. Even, dams constructed by Kings like our kings Prataparudra Deva in the 13th centuryAD, for instance. They all still help in water conservation.

    • @lisakasprzycki
      @lisakasprzycki Před 9 měsíci +4

      I enjoy this comment as a reminder of the deep connection and respect for water ( ofcourse ! ) in such an incredible country..
      also brings to mind videos that are very special to me about Ramanashram ( by its archivist , David Godman ).
      I am thinking of their 'tank' nearby there; the photos from the early 20th c. The water is so beautiful; it was respected and used for drinking.
      A community formed around it.
      ( Palakotu ? I need to look up the name of area )
      At the time of the making of that video ( in last 10 years) , it is full of algae, and busy road throws garbage ; there's a chain link fence and the whole place is uninhabited and uncared for.
      Maybe with inspiration like this, someone will give love to that water again.
      💦🙏🏼🌈

    • @Blenduu
      @Blenduu Před 9 měsíci

      Wow. I'd like to learn more, perhaps, interview someone that can share this knowledge for a course I am prepping. ❤

    • @gpilsitz1783
      @gpilsitz1783 Před 9 měsíci +1

      Mini reservoirs. Directed drainage.
      Repurposeing water to serve multiple uses.

    • @srinisatyan1451
      @srinisatyan1451 Před 8 měsíci

      Of course we do this, but we also don't actively practice water storage in recharge wells / ponds. And we keep removing forest cover or vegetation in the name of development/urbanisation. Just building wells/reservoirs won't conserve water, you need the right vegetation around it, and awareness not to dump waste.

    • @melekmatan1408
      @melekmatan1408 Před 2 měsíci

      How can I contact you infinite####

  • @Tammissa
    @Tammissa Před rokem +119

    Amazing! Sometimes going back in time is better than futuristic ideas.

    • @csmith4993
      @csmith4993 Před 9 měsíci +3

      Most times.

    • @rtkyalpazz2497
      @rtkyalpazz2497 Před 9 měsíci

      👍🏽✊🏽🙏🏽

    • @cryon7260
      @cryon7260 Před 9 měsíci +3

      You even can combine both ways.
      BUT: The old methods tend to be way cheaper, last longer, have positive side effects and look better too.
      The whole sewege system is unnatural and wasty.
      The house heatings, transport and commutationn, agricultur....
      it all could be done way better.But wait...why hasn't this been done yet ?
      I have an idea....

    • @BS-j1965
      @BS-j1965 Před 9 měsíci

      Agreed………only on something’s though!!!!

    • @grandaddyc
      @grandaddyc Před 8 měsíci

      @@cryon7260 Cause since people congregated in citys for work they probably live in apartment 51 on the 17th floor.

  • @louloubell6586
    @louloubell6586 Před 11 měsíci +27

    I'm in Australia too and have a rainwater tank connected to the gutters from the roof to supply my house as there is no town water. We've been doing it for many, many years. We also have swales instead of gutters in our streets in some areas that feed water into lakes down the road from our houses that attract native wildlife and allow plants to grow. We also have toilets that use less water. This is normal for us.

    • @RETROREPORT
      @RETROREPORT  Před 11 měsíci +6

      Very cool --thanks for sharing

    • @anonny2994
      @anonny2994 Před 10 měsíci +2

      How do you keep the water from going bad?

  • @bhartley1024
    @bhartley1024 Před rokem +184

    Rainwater harvesting is great, the only problem is people usually think too small. In my country we collect rainwater from the whole roof and store it in underground concrete tanks. My house has 3000 sq ft of catchment area and 19,000 gallons of storage. We should have built even more storage volume because it frequently overflows in the wet part of the year and occasionally runs low in the dry part. We get 55" of rain per year.

    • @brandondavidson4085
      @brandondavidson4085 Před rokem +22

      According to Wikipedia, a johad is technically a "percolation" pond so not only does it collect water, it's actually filtering groundwater into the pond so that's fresh and clean

    • @emrahozer6361
      @emrahozer6361 Před rokem +22

      Storing water underground for a long time sounds like a good idea rather than let it evaporate in the open. But how do you purify the water in the concrete tank to make it safe to drink? Also in time some mud might also gather in the tank which would come from the dust on your roof. Do you clean your concrete tanks from time to time?

    • @dodopson3211
      @dodopson3211 Před rokem +19

      ​@@emrahozer6361a first flush diverter would wash away the majority of junk from the roof, this would then not end up in the storage tanks.

    • @emrahozer6361
      @emrahozer6361 Před rokem +9

      @@dodopson3211 thanks for the info, took a look at google and saw a lot of them, definitely useful

    • @bhartley1024
      @bhartley1024 Před rokem +27

      @@emrahozer6361 You could use a first flush system, but no one here does. We just accept that there will be some sediment at the bottom of the tank. Ours has a divider in the middle that comes up about half way so when the water runs out in one side, you still have a quarter of a tank left. When it gets low like that we clean one side and pump the water to the other side and clean that one too. I think we've cleaned ours 3 or 4 times in 23 years.
      Some people clean them more frequently than others, some people filter or boil the water before drinking it. Ours is clean enough that I have no problems drinking it directly, we have a 5 micron filter but that probably still lets bacteria through.
      Our roofs are whitewashed, traditionally with lime, but nowadays with lime-rich white cement wash. Some roofs use a white elastomeric polymer paint. The white roof shows dirt very well, giving you an indication when it is time to clean and repaint the roof.

  • @etiennelouw9244
    @etiennelouw9244 Před 9 měsíci +6

    Over here in Cape Town, South Africa, I dug a trench (swale) to catch water and put it back into the ground. I am the only one in my neighborhood to do this. The thing that bothers me is that Cape Town city is drilling into the aquifers with no idea how to recharge them. Politicians are short sighted and a large problem with all their in fighting instead of trying to work together. About 4 years ago we almost ran out of water in Cape Town and when the drought broke almost everybody reverted to their old ways of doing things. In Namibia they have recycled water for a long time and put it back in use and 40 years ago I told some engineers that we need to do the same, nothing happened. Politics and money got in the way, to do something 40 years ago would have been cheaper than to catch up now.

    • @jorees
      @jorees Před 2 měsíci

      They are drilling aquifers in nz and bottling the water for china

  • @Bettinasisrg
    @Bettinasisrg Před 9 měsíci +7

    Dr. Singh is amazing! And Mr. Lancaster did well to build on his wisdom

  • @jackstraw262
    @jackstraw262 Před 9 měsíci +24

    Amazing how these people used the ancient tech of “digging a hole” to retain water. I’m blown away. We have so much to learn from their ways.

    • @chillxxx241
      @chillxxx241 Před 8 měsíci +2

      We did it in Texas when we were like 8 years old because we wanted to use our water guns in our “forts”. It’s just common sense.

    • @buyerofsorts
      @buyerofsorts Před 8 měsíci +2

      Ha! I know. I was thinking the same thing. Hey check out their upcoming video where they show the ancient technique on how to avoid water pooling in a certain area. Its called a "Hill".

  • @ericsharris5098
    @ericsharris5098 Před rokem +51

    Supposedly, when the bison covered the western plains, they would dig numerous small pond. Counterintuitively, these ponds, despite exposing water directly to the air, actually conserved water, compared to the grasslands they replaced. An acre of pond, after all, has only an acre of surface area exposed to the air. But an acre of grassland has all the surface area of the grass, and some of the interior spaces of the grass -- much more area.
    Don't recall the name of the book where I read this, but the source of the historical information and modern analysis seemed authoritative, and the explanation seemed to, um, hold water.

    • @harrymills2770
      @harrymills2770 Před 11 měsíci +3

      That's pretty counter-intuitive. But the grass is actively making sugars out of CO2 and H20 as well as releasing some water through its leaves to cool itself in the heat of the day. And that IS more surface area than just the surface area of the pond. But if there's not much moisture, the grasses will go dormant.
      Maybe there are many factors at work. There's a boundary layer close to the water that's pretty saturated, and any evaporation makes that layer cool down, decreasing the rate of evaporation. I doubt I could figure it all out, not that you were asking me to try.

    • @beccathib3656
      @beccathib3656 Před 9 měsíci

      🤤

    • @downbntout
      @downbntout Před 9 měsíci +2

      Plus the root mass which facilitates rainfall infiltration, and holds water by means of glomalin and related adhesives produced by the root tip to hold the rhizosphere together

  • @lorrquigley494
    @lorrquigley494 Před 9 měsíci +5

    my grandparents in Ireland had an above ground cement tank collecting water from roof down pipes. Served through an electric pump. It was used for bathing and dishes but not drinking. An open well, nearby, filled w spring water, always cold, was crisp and clear for consumption. All off-grid, except for electricity. Propane gas tanks for cooking stove in the kitchen. Coal buring range for heating water and baking or cooking, also heated linen closet and serviced radiators.

    • @RETROREPORT
      @RETROREPORT  Před 9 měsíci +2

      Thanks for sharing -- interesting to hear how people can live somewhat off the grid like this.

  • @st.george007
    @st.george007 Před rokem +10

    Singh is a credit to his people and for that matter all people.

  • @ziziroberts8041
    @ziziroberts8041 Před rokem +9

    A water garden. Every school needs one. Beautiful. I will research this. ❤

  • @Kakashi713
    @Kakashi713 Před 9 měsíci +11

    I'm in SoCal (next door state and 6 ish hour drive from Tucson) and started Rainwater collecting and Harvesting last fall. It was so much better to use it because it's free, it's from nature providing down and I can use it to water my plants and garden. I bought a 50 gal tank and it got overfilled pretty fast. This year I'll be getting another 50 gal for this year's harvest.

  • @mousehouse3591
    @mousehouse3591 Před rokem +26

    This is so weird to me because most houses in Australia have water tanks as standard home features, we have a 5000 litre and 20000 litre tank which is pretty normal. Great to see the US is finally embracing the idea.

    • @lk7195
      @lk7195 Před 8 měsíci +1

      ​@@violetroseishI'm not sure why either. I thought the southwest always did that. I'm from the south east and we get about 170-180 cm of rain a year I think they get about 10-15 in the south west.

  • @joy4ki
    @joy4ki Před rokem +37

    Water is such a precious resorce & we squander it daily.
    Love the 'ripple effect' of the community led, hands on education programs. 🌱🌳🌴🦋🐞🌻💖

  • @qualqui
    @qualqui Před rokem +68

    This is AWESOME, both what the Indian gentleman did in his "neck of the woods"and what Brad has done in Tucson, something similar needs to be done here in central Mexico, and was surprised to see the Water agency CEA, even offer help and advice on how to take advantage of the rainy season and catch the rainwater. Although 2022 was a drought year, only 8 days worth of rain vs.90 days worth in a normal rainy season, we could really make a difference and not pipe water in from a poor region here in my state with broken promises by politicians to better the life of those rural residents living there.

    • @harrymills2770
      @harrymills2770 Před 11 měsíci +5

      Yes. The broken promises are that they will give restitution for the harm done, when what was lost was priceless. That's why they took it.

    • @lagringa7518
      @lagringa7518 Před 9 měsíci +3

      Half of this Mexican water issue is that all of the degraded public leaky water pipes that lose 45+% of the water being sent.... that's a lot! I see it every day in my neighborhood, the people who can't get water to their houses and then water bubbling up in the middle of the streets that is lost doing no one any good.... but everyone has to pay anyway. So what are those Samapa payments for if not to upgrade their systems???

    • @bm8292
      @bm8292 Před 8 měsíci +2

      But the Indian gentleman, Rajender Singh was prosecuted by the government of the day for taking water from his own creation.

    • @qualqui
      @qualqui Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@bm8292 really? That's a hummers.🤪

  • @bobleclair5665
    @bobleclair5665 Před 9 měsíci +4

    When I was renting on land in Florida,the dripping of air conditioner was continuous. I planted a lime tree to catch the dripping, a good way of watering plants, In southern Florida, an air conditioner produces 5 to 10 gallons of water daily ,

  • @two-sense
    @two-sense Před 6 měsíci +2

    I live in a rainforest. This is so impressive how these people are dealing with their water challenges. We just call it "liquid sunshine" here on the west coast of B.C. Canada.

  • @elzaaltmann
    @elzaaltmann Před 10 měsíci +11

    I have harvested water for the past 20 years, made a move and now again. Nothing like rain water! 😊❤

  • @gijsv8419
    @gijsv8419 Před 9 měsíci +2

    This has a big benefit, cooling down the area. The greener the surface of the cointry the better

  • @anniehills3580
    @anniehills3580 Před 9 měsíci +4

    Proud of you using the rain properly!❤❤

  • @agonov1
    @agonov1 Před 22 dny +1

    I cried , too. The change is here!!!!❤

  • @emmahardesty4330
    @emmahardesty4330 Před rokem +77

    People have farmed very well in the Sonoran Desert for over 4 thousand yrs. Sustainability is possible with logic and care, and many other folks like Brad. Tucson is smart.

    • @y.harveynorman1392
      @y.harveynorman1392 Před rokem +4

      Maybe for hundreds of thousands of Native People. But not for millions of Americans.

    • @magesalmanac6424
      @magesalmanac6424 Před rokem +10

      Indigenous peoples of the Americas viewed themselves as custodians of the earth. So many of their practices were sustainable and worked with nature. Modern American farming tries to squeeze every last bit from the earth. The whole industry is not sustainable.

    • @sabrinad3679
      @sabrinad3679 Před rokem +5

      ​​​@@y.harveynorman1392 everybody has a roof to collect water. Each home and building should collect water ! And recycle grey waters.

    • @b_uppy
      @b_uppy Před rokem +2

      Natives initially made mistakes but had kind of figured how to live in balance, with time by the Europeans came.

    • @b_uppy
      @b_uppy Před rokem +1

      ​@@denisehill1215
      You want to plant-biome appropriate trees.
      It's a good tree, but be sure any plants you plant en masse are light drinkers if you plant live in drylands.

  • @oBseSsIoNPC
    @oBseSsIoNPC Před 9 měsíci +5

    I have watched videos years ago, showcasing large scale reclamation of barren soil and land, by means of catching fog, as well as building terraces that slow water flow and allowing it to sink in where needed. Based on that, I have been patiently waiting on a property to shape myself and since last year, I have been doing so.
    Not only catching rainwater, but also soil composition is a huge task, but the sooner we start to fixing things, the sooner we have a positive impact. Slowing down water is step one. Now you have moist soil that can turn into organic matter (by means of adding scraps and food waste).
    Let nature do the rest. It is VERY addictive and results become apparent within a year!

  • @dankeener3307
    @dankeener3307 Před 7 měsíci +3

    Here in Lancaster, PA I made it a goal to accommodate all rain that fell onto our property by using rain gardens and rain barrels. Because of our location we can also receive our neighbor’s driveway and roof runoff and some of the roadside drain water is directed into our street-side rain garden. All this supports fruit trees, native shrubs and vegetable and pollinator gardens. Very fun! Thx for promoting wise use of rainwater.

  • @desertdan100
    @desertdan100 Před 9 měsíci +4

    I grew up on a farm in the Midwest and had relatives that were ranchers out West.
    We farmed very hilly ground and could not irrigate. We only had what rain fall came down.
    I am Swedish and my family left a very poor area and immigrated to America and settled.
    We were sustainable before it was a buzz word.
    We consulted my Great Grandfather about problem areas and how to fix them.
    I am 56 and probably the last to know how to improve the soils and recharge the subsoil moisture in the hill's.
    We learned that it takes the plow and disk to fix some things and terraces, water ways and ponds to fix others.
    Sometimes you need trees and plants to absorb water from areas that lay stagnant to keep the rest of the water clean.
    No one wants to listen today and thinks that they are so much smarter and that Science proves that the old ways were wrong.
    One day when they can't figure out how to fix these issues and try and turn back, the knowledhe and those who kept it will be gone.
    We produced almost as much dry farming hills as those who irrigate and waste money on chemicals today.

  • @sharonkaczorowski8690
    @sharonkaczorowski8690 Před 10 měsíci +21

    My father used indigenous methods to grow the vegetables to feed our family of six. And we always watered at night and collected rainwater in trash cans and barrels. It’s really easy, though it would have known some of the methods of getting the water to the plants shown here.

    • @RETROREPORT
      @RETROREPORT  Před 10 měsíci +7

      Very cool -- Thanks for sharing!

  • @user-bp3pg7yy4y
    @user-bp3pg7yy4y Před 9 měsíci +1

    Amazing! Sometimes going back in time is better than futuristic ideas.. Amazing! Sometimes going back in time is better than futuristic ideas..

  • @florwhiteman4971
    @florwhiteman4971 Před rokem +35

    Please keep up this work, hopefully this will be on the national level, not only one state or city.

  • @davidangelo8902
    @davidangelo8902 Před 10 měsíci +11

    I agree. Love this! We need more people doing this here in the southwest or we will be in trouble. Great to see that Brad is always out there working hard. Thank you for the video!

    • @RETROREPORT
      @RETROREPORT  Před 9 měsíci +1

      Thanks for your comment. Glad you enjoyed the video -- if you're interested in more Retro Report you can find us on social @RetroReport

  • @mountaingardening
    @mountaingardening Před 10 měsíci +18

    Love this! We need more people doing this here in the southwest or we will be in trouble. Great to see that Brad is always out there working hard. Thank you for the video!

    • @RETROREPORT
      @RETROREPORT  Před 10 měsíci +5

      We totally agree -- very cool to see people using imaginative methods to help the environment.

    • @donjonjr1
      @donjonjr1 Před 9 měsíci +1

      And they need to stop destructive drainage policies that are drying out the ecosystems. Backyard drains to the front yard, drains to the gutter, drains to the storm drain, drains to the river dasin and out to sea with no time to soak in.

    • @lindabonomi7274
      @lindabonomi7274 Před 9 měsíci +5

      We ARE in trouble...if we don't stop overbuilding, overuse of water (golf courses), our faucets will be dry tomorrow!

    • @montanawarren8462
      @montanawarren8462 Před 8 měsíci

      ​@@lindabonomi7274typical white man doesn't think farther than his pecker or his pocketbook and definitely not the future for his children

  • @shudhanshushekharsingh
    @shudhanshushekharsingh Před rokem +49

    Such water Harvesting techniques have long been engrained into the Indian Culture be it in form of Bawris , Johads ,Jhalara, Tankas , Kundas and Baolis. Even Indus Valley civilisation sites like Dholavira had at least five baths and the size of one is comparable with the Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro.
    Keep up the good work!

    • @SILOPshuvambanerjee
      @SILOPshuvambanerjee Před rokem +2

      Absolutely right brother

    • @altmosetz_01
      @altmosetz_01 Před rokem +5

      Baths is what the English historians & archeologists interpreted these as. But in the Indian region remnants of stepwells & others like it which are far more ancient can be seen all over . Probably the Westerners thought of Baths as that's what they were familiar with -- the ancient Roman baths that were a community activity .

    • @GobiSubramaniam
      @GobiSubramaniam Před rokem +4

      Historical digs in places like Mohenjo-daro shows a very advance water management system where they had created artificial lakes which serves as a water-catching areas for the whole city and community. This techniques can also found later in other parts of India as went as far as influencing famous places like Angkor Wat in Thailand.

  • @mjkay8660
    @mjkay8660 Před rokem +5

    many old homes had copper holding tanks for rain water, and many farms had holding tanks also. no downspouts without barrels. progress.

  • @Sjalabais
    @Sjalabais Před 9 měsíci +2

    "Everyone around us, they're part of the potential of this place"
    A resounding *yes* to that one. Permaculture is about involvement. There is basic democracy in localised action. What a great example Lancaster's leading role is for other neighbourhoods!

  • @SoberOKMoments
    @SoberOKMoments Před rokem +7

    Proof once again how one man or woman can make a huge difference. Well done for all concerned!

  • @theondebray
    @theondebray Před rokem +18

    Interesting. I live in England where water shortages are not usually a problem. BUT, 2022 was the hottest Summer ever, one day 44C out the back of my house in England's green & pleasant land - usually. My garden & plants only just survived precisely because I have three water storage tanks, recycle / reuse all waste water. It was a close call, with all my stored water tanks empty before the Autumn rains came. (But this year, all the plants and WEEDS are coming back with a vengeance.) Its definitely going to get worse in the future.
    I have seen many integrated farms in Thailand with water storage, wells to refill the aquifers, use of food/fruit trees to shade the ground, big storage ponds in which fish are reared, Tilapia being bred in the rice fields whilst flooded. Water conservation is the norm in other parts of the world.

    • @eyeexcel
      @eyeexcel Před rokem +3

      Hi, I heard more weeds = healthier soil. Maybe it's a good thing

    • @theondebray
      @theondebray Před rokem +4

      @@eyeexcel Definitely. But I would say 'more plants' rather than more weeds which can be horribly invasive & choke out the plants you want. Alan Titchmarsh would be horrified if he saw my higgledepiggledy plants everywhere garden!

  • @TheRozylass
    @TheRozylass Před 9 měsíci +3

    I wish more people could see that the earth was prepared with enough! We just need to be more efficient in how we store and use resources. Great job in Tucson. I've looked at many projects around the world and am amazed at the ingenuity of people. It gives me hope because I've always believed that people are the answer to the challenges of life, not the problem.

  • @sharonkinsella7435
    @sharonkinsella7435 Před 9 měsíci

    Beautiful!

  • @edwardhardy3469
    @edwardhardy3469 Před 9 měsíci +2

    In Cochise county during the early 1950-1960s every valley farm had dirt water revisors for capturing rainwater! Now these dirt dams are very rare. Local people have forgotten how this works.

  • @b_uppy
    @b_uppy Před rokem +8

    Couple this with planting trees where it is too steep for rainwater harvesting catchments to protect from dessicating wind and solarization. Where the terrain starts to get shallow use small, frequently placed checkdams, bunds, swales, etc to slow and soak in water. Soil and biome-appropriate plantlife protect the water from evaporating while recharging both the land it is near, as well as the land down stream.
    While trees trnspire water the carbon they sequester helps purify water and help the soil to soak in water while also retain it. The pollen they release helps clouds to release their moisture back to earth.
    A good general mix of plant life also prevents wind dessication and solarization and as well as carbon.
    It all works together.

    • @altmosetz_01
      @altmosetz_01 Před rokem +1

      Long grass with deep roots is necessary. The long grass traps moisture from air as well as water when it rains. The roots help the water reach deep into the soil.

    • @b_uppy
      @b_uppy Před rokem +2

      @@altmosetz_01
      It should be pointed out that only some trees and grasses get deep roots, root diversity is good.
      ●If grass (and forbs (forbs are broad-leaved, non woody plants)) is overgrazed the trees still protect it. Many grasses are perennials. It's why some manage deep roots.
      Grasses tend to build soil quickly because grazing causes die off of roots. The dead roots' carbon stays in the soil. It is best to avoid overgrazing.
      Too much grazing (eating more than half, or grazing below 7", whichever comes first) kills off too many roots and grass takes much longer to regrow. This means it produces much less food than mob-grazed pasture. It also loses drought and heatwave resistence, as well as being vulnerable to washout.
      Livestock need food diversity, as well as shade and wind protection. Trees can do that. Alley cropping provides a happy medium suitable to our prairies because they mimic savannas. The Great Plains had a lot more trees prior to Native occupation.
      ●Trees can get much deeper, broader roots. They degrade and create a faster pathway thru hardpan to recharge aquifers, etc. Trees have the advantage of supporting more types of mycelium. Mycelium is important because it transports water and nutrients, depending the soil health network. Trees prevent erosion from pelting rains, reduce dessication from wind and solarization.
      We need both. Trees create more usable products that create resilience. Instead of the Great Plains being dominated by annual grass crops like wheat, corn, barley, we would be better with more plant diversity, and livestock directly grazing from instead of disjointed layers of management.

  • @Brett_S_420
    @Brett_S_420 Před 9 měsíci +1

    "Pray for water" is the type of thinking that got you where you are.

  • @conorjensen-7637
    @conorjensen-7637 Před 8 měsíci

    Well done. Looking good Stacy!!🙏

  • @brandonmusser3119
    @brandonmusser3119 Před 8 měsíci

    We need this all across the Southwest even where I'm at in Colorado

  • @stonedapefarmer
    @stonedapefarmer Před 5 měsíci

    Always love seeing new stuff with Brad! Thanks!

  • @jow6845
    @jow6845 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Brilliant!

  • @sonicclang
    @sonicclang Před 8 měsíci +1

    This isn't sustainability, this is regeneration! Just incredible to see neighborhoods and the city embracing this.

  • @janesmith9024
    @janesmith9024 Před 10 měsíci +2

    One of the only times I am pleased it so often seem to be raining here in the UK even in July now (whilst some of mainland Europe seems to be up to 40C this week)........ Even so need to keep all our trees and preserve water where we can. Having 18m more people here than when I was born (and 600k record net immigration to the UK) is making things much harder here - we are so crowded, far too many people here and on the planet - now up to 8 billion on the planet.

    • @marinaharmon5775
      @marinaharmon5775 Před 3 měsíci

      Just because where you live, it feels cramped, doesn't mean it is everywhere. There is enough room for everyone plus those are yet to be born
      .

  • @postholedigger8726
    @postholedigger8726 Před 9 měsíci +1

    NO MORE LAWN MEANS NO MORE LAWN COSTS AND NO MORE AIR CONDITIONER COSTS.
    About 30 years ago I reforested the lot around our house. When we purchased the house it was a typical grass lawn with two trees suburban home. I initially planted 60 young hardwood trees throughout the yard and 90 Burford Holly bushes around the perimeter of the property. Looking at a house as having four walls and one roof I concluded that 4/5ths of the heat was coming through the walls and 1/5th was coming through the roof. The roof was getting direct heat and the walls were getting direct heat plus reflected heat reflected from the lawn. .My reasoning was the trees would stop direct sunlight and the Holly bushes would stop reflected sunlight hitting the walls of house. Before the trees and Holly bushes grew to their current size we had to run the air conditioner 24/7. This gave us a power bill close to $400.00 a month. In spite of the high power pill, it was unable to cool the house to a comfortable temperature. I made a few modifications to the house by adding roofed decks around the back and front entrances, to block the heat coming into the house through the doors, plus replacing the small window in the upstairs bedroom with French Doors plus a small roofed deck. The French Doors effectively took out most of the upper bedroom wall allowing the heat rising from the lower floors to escape. As the trees and Holly Bushes grew providing more shade the electric bill came down. Now the house is surrounded with a forest canopy and we no longer use or need the air conditioner. Our electric bill has been reduced by almost 75% and is currently $110.00 a month. The forest canopy is filled in to a point where the house can no longer be seen from the street. The property forestation is completely self sustaining and does not require watering, chemicals, mowing or any other human intervention.

  • @patriciatinkey2677
    @patriciatinkey2677 Před 9 měsíci +1

    A great step in the right direction! Thanks for sharing this. I live in South Florida, & we have a feast or famine type of situation with our rain. I use a catchment system for the garden that has eliminated the need to use city water for my yard. Outdoor shower for cooling off on these scorching summer days is next.

  • @juliegale3863
    @juliegale3863 Před 9 měsíci +4

    On farms in UK I remember seeing up the uplands ponds called Dew Ponds. They were scraped out areas, sometimes natural, that caught the morning dew or rain to make watering places for the cattle. Mainly on high grassy areas like the south Downs of Kent and Sussex.

  • @Junzar56
    @Junzar56 Před 9 měsíci

    Incentivizing rainwater harvesting. Genius! I love Brad!s book!

  • @annakonda6727
    @annakonda6727 Před 9 měsíci

    Fantastic video, and interesting informative comments, too. Thank you!

    • @RETROREPORT
      @RETROREPORT  Před 9 měsíci

      Thanks so much -- as a small nonprofit this kind of comment means a lot. If you want more Retro Report in your life :) you can follow us on social, @RetroReport

  • @donjonjr1
    @donjonjr1 Před 9 měsíci +2

    Nice work! The world needs more of this

  • @Anonymous79896
    @Anonymous79896 Před 7 měsíci +1

    Give these people millions and get this information mainstream.

  • @sarrahlee4118
    @sarrahlee4118 Před 9 měsíci

    Fabulous... 🙏

  • @rh4331
    @rh4331 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Ancient Petra in Jordan had ingenious water collection techniques

  • @lunainezdelamancha3368

    The Power of one!!
    💚🌻

  • @klim2177
    @klim2177 Před měsícem

    Thank you for sharing. It's very inspiring!

  • @shawneenhammer4241
    @shawneenhammer4241 Před 9 měsíci +4

    Can surely tell that this gets your soul because the little girl is just overcome with emotions when they speak of the importance of her job to show others how to do this. Now and in the up-and-coming future . She is a light for us in the darkness of disparity that people feel right now towards Mother Earth and Father Sky. Water is her lifeblood and she knows in her heart that she is an important part of that continuance. Keep up the good work you are the custodians of your future.💦🌌✌️❤️🌌🌠🌏🌎🌍🫵

  • @davechristensen8299
    @davechristensen8299 Před 9 měsíci

    THANK GOD FOR PEOPLE LIKE THESE!

  • @Planet_Cents
    @Planet_Cents Před 9 měsíci +3

    Absolutely love this! It is so important for all of us to understand that conserving and preserving our natural ecosystem is not a very complex problem that we project it to be, ancient traditional knowledge has been preserved very efficiently without science and technology and we love how they embrace it. Adding the video to one of our playlist to keep inspiring more people ~Team planet cents

    • @RETROREPORT
      @RETROREPORT  Před 9 měsíci

      Glad you liked the video! We also have a related lesson plan if you know of any teachers who might be interested: www.retroreport.org/education/video/rain-savers/

  • @erroleabrown4317
    @erroleabrown4317 Před 2 měsíci

    One of the extremely important lessons that should be learn at school because water is life giving life sustaining water is essential

  • @nabamkhasarrungmu3975
    @nabamkhasarrungmu3975 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Great work 💚

  • @Oldirocks
    @Oldirocks Před 9 měsíci

    Thk u for the water conservation

  • @lancerudy9934
    @lancerudy9934 Před 9 měsíci

    Great video thanks 😊

    • @RETROREPORT
      @RETROREPORT  Před 9 měsíci

      Thanks so much -- we really appreciate your comment.

  • @marianfrances4959
    @marianfrances4959 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Awesome!!!

  • @MaLiArtworks186
    @MaLiArtworks186 Před 9 měsíci +1

    We can change drought lands into gardens. Need this in Texas.

  • @josephpaul6386
    @josephpaul6386 Před 8 měsíci

    I live in Tucson. -just saw this video - and a few others like it - best news about helping water in this area - Brad needs to congratulated for helping save water and planet - just like in other areas and countries -

  • @GLORIAADU-dt4iu
    @GLORIAADU-dt4iu Před rokem +1

    Thank you for the information. have been trying to find ways to save water.

  • @sheilam4964
    @sheilam4964 Před 9 měsíci

    Thx for doing this and sharing. 👍👍👍👍👍

  • @nancywysemen7196
    @nancywysemen7196 Před rokem +2

    "so this becomes part of the practice" moving words.

  • @terryelizabeth2841
    @terryelizabeth2841 Před 9 měsíci

    Yes,more of this.

  • @risingsun49
    @risingsun49 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Arizona had a huge amount of snow last year when that melted didnt it provide a lot of water for the rivers and streams. Its wonderful your catching rain water. Im in the Grand Canyon this summer and driving around i thought why dobt more people do this.

  • @judithwake2757
    @judithwake2757 Před 9 měsíci +2

    Gee ! DUH !!!
    I've used Rain catchment for ALL my water on my farm since 1971.

  • @tiaansea3319
    @tiaansea3319 Před rokem

    So, glad I watched this video ❤

  • @davidmielnik5543
    @davidmielnik5543 Před 7 měsíci

    great video

  • @DFH789HFD
    @DFH789HFD Před rokem

    yes, yes and yes. amazing job done

  • @atenas80525
    @atenas80525 Před 7 měsíci

    In Colorado, the state is ordering the removal of 100s of ponds (i.e. johads) in the Arkansas basin - two steps forward, 3 steps back . .

  • @JudithBisson
    @JudithBisson Před rokem

    Wow, what a great story.

  • @eswaribalan164
    @eswaribalan164 Před 9 měsíci

    Blessings..❤

  • @user-uf7wt9tg2e
    @user-uf7wt9tg2e Před 11 měsíci +1

    We need to do this in Vegas

  • @eddieleong6490
    @eddieleong6490 Před rokem +4

    Added benefits are a more harmonious community that will help each other in many ways. People start to talk to each other, smile more. The level of happiness increase.

  • @jumauniverse8348
    @jumauniverse8348 Před 10 měsíci +1

    Sir Singh thank you for your hardwork. Human, animals, tree need water

  • @zeideerskine3462
    @zeideerskine3462 Před rokem +5

    In North America, you can also wild out more beavers. Saving storm and grey water for greening your cities is a great idea and the cherry on top would be making these new plants edibles. If you want to improve temperature control plant grape vines, nasturtium, and other edible plants that make great green cover. One thing every community must learn first, though, is that the "water conservation" preached in America (do not use water but rather keep it in low evaporation storage) is not a good idea. You have to circulate it.

  • @jeanetteschulthe1andOnly
    @jeanetteschulthe1andOnly Před 10 měsíci

    Thank you for sharing.

  • @tbmurdoch2207
    @tbmurdoch2207 Před 11 měsíci

    Beautiful. 🙂

  • @JeffreyWillis800
    @JeffreyWillis800 Před rokem +3

    Pretty cool, I'd like to see/learn more about it. Where I live in Virginia, we seem to have plenty of rain. But still I have 5 rain barrels with about 50 gallons each of water.

  • @CarolineBearoline
    @CarolineBearoline Před rokem +45

    This channel consistently has had interesting and thought-provoking pieces ❤
    The production value is off-the-charts, as always

  • @juliadean2473
    @juliadean2473 Před 9 měsíci

    Wonderful work! What beautiful results in the environment and the people

    • @RETROREPORT
      @RETROREPORT  Před 9 měsíci

      Thanks so much -- we appreciate it! If you're in the mood for more Retro Report content you can find us on social @RetroReport

  • @downtoearth1950
    @downtoearth1950 Před 9 měsíci +1

    You have to slow water down as it flows through the local landscape /enviroment, not drain it away quickly.

  • @Texasbarbie777
    @Texasbarbie777 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Funny thing is in St. Elizabeth Jamaica where I'm from my forefathers have been doing this for generations, it's the norm for our area everyone's house has gutters that leads to these huge tanks.

  • @lynnmoser6918
    @lynnmoser6918 Před 8 měsíci

    Been catching and using rainwater for at least 20 years. I have a 3,000 gallon capacity and can water my garden all summer and supply my cannibal tub year round. I can direct water to trees with a hose system. Mostly I just walk around flipping valves...I do have barrels sitting in some areas to fill and refill cycling them before mosquitos hatch. Warm water is handy...barrels in the sun will get warm.

  • @rubygold3008
    @rubygold3008 Před 9 měsíci

    when I was young my mom normally gather water everytime rains , and use it for laundry, water to plants and we drink it... we use to filter the rain water by soaking it to the heat from the sun.

  • @radow869
    @radow869 Před rokem +1

    Wise men!