Water is essential for all living species. The planet is 70% covered by it, and this fact alone had given the fake assumption (to many of us on developed countries- at least) that it was an unlimited resource that could be used in a very indulgent manner. However, each day it’s more obvious that our water resources are limited and should be taken care. One local example, here in the United States, is the drought in California and the multiple new regulations being applied as a result of it,

Our landscapes can be one of the most important areas where to act with responsibility towards an issue, that even if it’s miles away from us, will affect the way we carry life nowadays -again, just check California’s new rules about water use. With this in mind, here are 5 important ways to implement in your landscape designs to respect and conserve such a valuable resource. These 5 points can be followed by designers and homeowners.

#1. Respect natural drainage patterns

As part of creating outdoor spaces you regularly find the need to modify the topography of your land. If this is the case, apply, or request if you’re the client, a plan that considers the way water will navigate in your property. First at all water should run away from your foundation! this is kind of unrelated to this post, but you should know this…

Now back to topic,  if the shape of the land becomes too steep or too leveled, it’ll cause either erosion or poodles and it’ll not maximize the water absorption of the soil. Another example is if too much impermeable material is used in the project, here the amount of runoff water will increase and trigger a lot of unwanted consequences and expenses. Read more