Global Ecovillage Network/Solution Library/Water harvesting swale sagia

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Landscape dehydration Rapid evaporation, Soil erosion, Nutrient runoff Sagias or Swales can be implemented to slow down water after a rain and to hold it for the longest period possible for it to sink in slowly and hydrate the landscape.

Water is very precious especially in arid and semi arid regions. Every single drop of rain must therefore be saved and not wasted, evaporation should be decreased, and fertile topsoil should be prevented from running off with the rain, therefore loosing nutrients and causing soil erosion. To prevent this, Sagias or Swales can be implemented to slow down water after a rain and to hold it for the longest period possible for it to sink in slowly and hydrate the landscape. Swales are ditches dug in the ground along contour lines to save rain water, they are heavily mulched to prevent evaporation.

Trees can be planted along swale lines to benefit from good hydration and nutrients. Further, their root systems create soil conditions that help diffuse and keep the water in the soil. FOR EDITORS: User name: Omarhajji Name: Omar Hajji Email: lordmabaki@gmail.com Telephone: (212)671907802 Skype: countmabaki Morocco, La Plage Ecovillage

• Ecology
  • Seeds, Food & Soil
  • Water Cycles

• http://green-change.com/2011/09/05/swales-for-water-harvesting/