Rainwater Harvesting on the Pedernales
April 19, 2008
Bill and Donna Davis moved into their new Hill Country home in October of 2002. The Davis’ came to this area in part to be near children and grandchildren in Austin and in part because of the quiet and beauty of the area.
When they came they brought an appreciation for the preciousness of water. Bill, retired from the petroleum exploration business, had become involved in water issues in another water-challenged area, the Colorado Rockies, and understood how easily many can take that resource for granted.
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Elliot’s New Home and Rainwater Harvesting System
February 17, 2008
Long before breaking ground for their home, located overlooking Grape Creek, Tim and Patty Elliott knew they would be installing a rainwater harvesting system.
When they moved from water rich Houston to Blanco County they first lived in Johnson City while preparing to and building their new home in the hills. That is where they encountered confirmation of their plans when they discovered that water from the public water supply was much more expensive than in Houston.
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Kathleen Marie and Jeff’s Excellent Rainwater System
February 8, 2008
Although a growing number of people in Central Texas are incorporating a rainwater system into new construction, many, if not most systems, are installed after the home or business is constructed.
The system at the home and studio of Blanco County artist Kathleen Marie Wilson and husband Jeff Gray is a testament to creativity and ingenuity in adapting to an existing structure. But the challenges were not limited to integration with existing structures – the couple also had to deal with a steeply sloping site with few flat areas and the need to use much of that flat space to add a studio/gallery.
Those familiar with the lay of the land around Flat Creek at FM 3232, where their home is located, know how challenging that terrain is.
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Mollberg Compound – Green Living on the Divide
January 24, 2008
I came across my property in the Peyton Colony region of SE Blanco County in 1997.
There had never been a well on the property, and there was no structure or infrastructure present. My neighbors here all have wells, but they are 800 feet+ deep, and produce a very mineral saturated water.
As I researched rainwater harvesting, I became convinced that this is what I wanted to do for a water source. Living on rainwater has been more wonderful than I ever imagined, and I count myself remarkably fortunate to have this wonderful source of water.
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Juniper Hills Farm Depends On Rainwater Collection
December 31, 2007
Juniper Hills Farm, home to Onion Creek Kitchens, a culinary school and B&B relies entirely on rainwater for the needs of the owners, the school and guests. Facing the need for a very deep well with uncertain capacity and production, rainwater was the obvious choice.
Guest cabin - Note use of chain for downspout
The buildings on the property, both the residence and the guest cabins, are designed in the style of Northern Italy, an area of the world that has relied on rainwater for thousands of years. This system has been tastefully integrated into the Italian motif.
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