permaculture

["Kelly Finigan" <kfinigan@spots.ca>]

Charles:

> I would especially like to hear suggestions regarding how to build 
> rainwater catchment tanks where metal and plastic are scarce,
>  building constructed wetlands for secondary waste treatment for 200 
> people.  In a few months we will be going down there to oversee 
> construction which is something that none of us have any experience 
> in so any suggestions in that area would be very helpful.

Water:

three water options come to mind (not knowing what you do have availalbe):
1) ferrocement - uses a relatively small amount of cement over a supporting 
frame (generally wire mesh but I think bamboo has been used); makes a good 
above-grade tank
2)wood - traditionally used for water tanks along the railway in the old 
west...also for lovely old redwood hot tubs I've encountered in California 
and for large irrigation aquaducts here in Southern Alberta.
3) mounded earth: build uo earth berms. line the storage "tank" with a 
plstic liner or clay.

I'm assuming you want the water storage above grade level to keep out 
surface run-on water that may be contaminated. You may (??) also want to 
cover the tanks to keep out birds, mammals, kids (kids LOVE water tanks).

ALSO: (VERY IMPORTANT): If you want to save costs, get rid of the water 
toilets. Supplying water to these is VERY, VERY expensive in terms of water 
storage, especially since you have a problem getting materials for the 
tanks. USE  A COMPOSTING TOILET SYSTEM....here I'd recommend something along 
the lines of Jenkin's Humanure toilets. You are already planning the compost 
facilities all around the community, so why not use them to keep the 
nutrients at the site? These should be a nice upgrade for the people who 
were using "pit toilets".

SEWAGE:

If you use the humanure toilets, I'd suggest that all other water go to on-
site greywater (e.g. buried infiltration system a la Watson Wick) for each 
house. This will ELIMINATE the sewer lines for the community. Use that money 
for something better (e.g. small community PV power supply to run a radio 
and a fridge for medical supplies).



> All Love
> 
> Charlie Knoles


--
Kelly Finigan, M.Sc. P.Eng. Permaculture Designer
~ Sustainability consultant & ecological designer ~ 

744 - 4 Street NW
Calgary, Alberta T2N 1P2
phone 1-403-283-7270