Water, canals and tunnels
Most of the irrigation tunnels are underground and are built in 2 parts. The first is the base, cut out of solid rock. This base is now well calcified and perfect for running water. The dimensions of all bases are equal, 70cm wide by 50cm high. Above the sides are rough stone walls up another 50-60cm and then the roof is formed by stone slabs laid from the top of these walls up to a pointed roof, forming a primitive arch.
It is my opinion on studying these constructions that they were formed in two differing time frames. The canals cut into rock follow the rock contours of the valley. This could not have been possible unless they were cut when the rock faces were exposed. The stone constructions are much cruder and at a later date. This leads one to the conclusion that soil levels have risen during the past 600 years by around 2-3 metres.
Further evidence of this is, the grandfathers of the families I bought the land from telling tales of their youth spent helping their fathers carry rocks to increase the height of terrace walls. In some cases the walls are now 3.5 metres high, retaining this amount of topsoil.
Water
Some irrigation tunnels have now been cleared and have small trickles of water coming from them. At first glance, these trickles seem insignificant, but when we measure water flow, we find that the smallest trickle is producing 5 litres of water every 3 minutes. Calculate this over one year and the amount of water is enormous. In fact, we now have a problem storing all this water for future summer, dry season, use. Building holding tanks is too expensive and there is no clay to form ponds. We are now looking into an industrial produced product, say plastic dust bins, to set into the land as storage units.
Whatever it is stored in - ponds lined with clay, old plastic tubs linked together, concrete tanks, lined natural depressions, etc., it has one major problem: mosquitos. Leave an area of still water for two weeks and you have tens of thousands of horrible, blood-sucking insects. Introduce fish and you have none........(See section on fish)
Flood control
From our experience there is no doubt that mankinds activities with the environment have increased the instances of floods during periods of heavy rainfall. Some of these causes, as is well known by now, is a result of deforestation and bad farm practises. This leads to gully erosion due to the speed of water run-off. Topsoil is swept away exposing the rocky subsoil beneath. Slowing the force of water down, preferably near its source and allowing sediment to settle can quickly reverse all this. Our practical knowledge and designs for these problems cover a wide range of possibilities. (Read more about erosion and trees)
Irrigation design
We plan to design irrigation systems using researched and up-to-date equipment. All new products on the market we test on our own research farm for at least one year before we recommend its use. We reject a good 60% of items tested for a variety of reasons: calcification, silting, blockage by insect nesting and just plain useless.
To conserve our water our systems are designed for minimum water usage but maximum take up by tree and plant life. The techniques we use guarantee no salt build-up in soil composition.
Ancient Water Systems
We provide an in-house survey team with 10 years field experience in the discovery, plotting, clearance, repair and renovation of ancient water systems, above or below ground. Where water has ceased to flow but was once known to, we do an in depth analysis to determine the causes of failure and prepare remedial schemes to bring the water sources back to life.
Where calcification has occurred in limestone systems we have learnt by experience not to install any modern pipes, as these will close up within a year. Instead we use our own siphonic systems designs to overcome the problems.
We have designed a syphonic system to return excess water to the lower levels.
Some irrigation tunnels have now been cleared and have small trickles of water coming from them. At first glance, these trickles seem insignificant, but when we measure water flow, we find that the smallest trickle is producing 5 litres of water every 3 minutes. Calculate this over one year and the amount of water is enormous. In fact, we now have a problem storing all this water for future summer, dry season, use. Building holding tanks is too expensive and there is no clay to form ponds. We are now looking into an industrial produced product, say plastic dust bins, to set into the land as storage units.
Whatever it is stored in - ponds lined with clay, old plastic tubs linked together, concrete tanks, lined natural depressions, etc., it has one major problem: mosquitoes. Leave an area of still water for two weeks and you have tens of thousands of horrible, blood-sucking insects. Introduce fish and you have none
(See more about water systems in relation to solar power)
Increase in sustainable water
* flood control
* increase in sustainable water
* re-use of grey water
* water from condensation
1. From our experience there is no doubt that mankinds activities with the environment have increased the instances of floods during periods of heavy rainfall. Some of these causes, as is well known by now, is a result of deforestation and bad farm practices. This leads to gully erosion due to the speed of water run-off. Topsoil is swept away exposing the rocky subsoil beneath. Slowing the force of water down, preferably near its source, and allowing sediment to settle can quickly reverse all this. Our practical knowledge and designs for these problems cover a wide range of possibilities.
2. Increase in sustainable water is a result of control of item 1. Once water is slowed down or stopped and stored it finds its way back to its natural underground tables. This in turn slowly releases water back into the environment where it can be used.
3. All grey water, that is sink and bath water, can be returned clean into the environment using natures way: plants and gravel. The area of this will depend on the amount of effluent needed to be treated. Our design team has good experience of this.
4. The design shown here is one of many that combine 1, 2 and 3. Flood control, water collection and water from condensation. The first two solutions 1 and 2 are necessary for the condensing system although there can be variations depending on location.
Re-use of grey water
All grey water, that is sink and bath water, can be returned clean into the environment using natures way: plants and gravel. The area of this will depend on the amount of effluent needed to be treated. Our design team has good experience of this.
Water from condensation
(Sorry this section is still under construction. Designs will be added soon)
The design shown here is one of many that combine 1, 2 and 3. Flood control, water collection and water from condensation. The first two solutions are necessary for the condensing system although there can be variations depending on location.