Great News San Diego!

Rain Barrel Rebates for City of San Diego customers are here!  The program started January 15th, and there are limited funds, so act fast.  The more demand we show for rebates, even if they run out, the more likely this program will take off as a more substantial offering for the Water Conservation Department.  If you have a barrel/tank purchased after January 1st, the Public Utilities Department will rebate $0.50/gallon up to 400 gallons or $200!  See the following link for details and to get an application:
http://www.sandiego.gov/water/conservation/resrainwaterharvesting.shtml
If you are thinking of getting a tank soon to take advantage of this great opportunity, check out The Tank Source, in Alpine, our local Tank Supplier.  You won't find better prices: 

http://www.thetankssource.com/sandiegotank/

Also, if you need help getting started, I offer consultations as well as installations for rainwater tanks as well as greywater systems, so don't be afraid to call or email.

In celebration I'm offering a Barrel Making Workshop, Saturday, February 4th!   You'll get a $29 rebate after you apply!

Make Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop

Saturday, February 4, 2012.  1:00pm-4:00pm

Location: Talmadge, San Diego

Are you ready for the rain?  If you’ve been looking for a cost effective way of saving rainwater, we are offering a solution.  Come and make your own rain barrel to take home!  

We will provide clean, recycled, food grade 58 gallon plastic drums along with a kit of parts to tap it for a hose fitting on the bottom and an overflow on the top, as well as mosquito-proofing options.  You will be able to drill your holes and assemble your barrel onsite.  

The class will begin with a tour and educational seminar covering various facets of water harvesting from understanding what your rainwater potential is, how to use your rainwater, how to accommodate runoff in your landscape, as well as greywater use and regulations.  This part of the class will be open to the General Public.  After this is over, I will offer some details on how to make your barrel and we will get started.  I will have literature on hand from water agencies and other educational material for you to take home.

The cost of the class is $75,  If you would like to participate in the workshop but do not want to take home your own barrel, the cost is $25, sliding scale.  If you would like to purchase an extra barrel and parts, the cost will be $50.  Cash or check will be accepted.  Don't forget that you can apply for you barrel rebate of $29!  Also, I will have a couple Bushman 205 gallon barrels for sale onsite if you decide you want something a little bigger.  These are pre-manufactured for rainwater harvesting.

This will be a great opportunity to connect with community members and learn more about using our water resources.

Please RSVP by Monday, January 30 to ensure your spot. Spaces are limited to the first 12 people to sign up.  If there is enough demand, I will open up a subsequent workshop the following weekend.  If you are interested and have a preference for a different day or have your own group of 10+people, let me know and we'll work something out.  You can RSVP to brook@h2o-me.com or call 619.964.4838 

Water Harvesting Tour 

Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 1 :00 PM to 2:30 PM

Come see water harvesting in action! Guided by Water Harvesting Professional and Permaculturist, Brook Sarson, you'll see how a passive water harvesting techniques, combined with a 1525 gallon rainwater storage system, as well as laundry and bath greywater work together to grow a garden of edibles (including 20 fruit trees) using only 1/4 of the water that most San Diegans use each day. 

As you tour this urban farm setting, you'll see natural building techniques including a cob chicken coop, decorative benches as well as an earth pizza oven. Brook will be on-hand to talk to you about solutions for your space and how you can make a difference by conserving and protecting our most vital resource.

There will be a tour starting at 1:00, with light refreshments and materials to peruse relating to water in our community.  You will learn about simple greywater systems, do-it-yourself options, rainwater-harvesting systems, resources, or you can schedule an appointment with Brook to assess greywater and rainwater opportunities at your site.

Suggested donation of $5 will go toward supporting water activism in San Diego. Please RSVP to Brook at brook@h2o-me.com or call 619.964.4838 and I will give you the address.

Brook Sarson
H2OME
Smart Water Savings
619.964.4838