Fighting Drought With an Ancient Practice: Harvesting the Rain | Retro Report

[@jurnalprasetyo]

In Indonesia there is an old man fighting for water conservation by plant a lot of Banyan trees on a barren mountain, amazingly after a few years it was done so many watersprings spring up from places that used to be dry. We called him Mbah Sadiman, you can find his success stories on youtube. Let's protect our water.

[@rahulkohli6811]

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story

[@NiekeAkosah-jv5ft]

Such a shame that the videos of mbah Sadiman do not have English translations.

[@jurnalprasetyo]

@@NiekeAkosah-jv5ft unfortunately there is few videos about Sadiman w/ eng subtitles kzbin.info/www/bejne/sH2UlmWObJmUaaM

[@seahorserider33]

thank you for sharing! Let's start with stopping private companies like Nestle from limiting access to fresh water

[@louloubell6586]

That's great. It would help stop erosion of the soil too.

[@Interests97]

Indian civilization has so much wisdom

[@deborahmcsweeney3349]

I've been doing rainwater catchment for over 15 years here in KS. I was born and raised in Tempe AZ so my life was focused on the real scarcity of water. I wish more people would do this. It just makes sense. We can't wait until there is a crisis, we need to do it now so there isn't a crisis! Thank you for sharing this!!

[@willalaseter3682]

I would love to do a rain water container but I was under the impression that it was illegal to store rain water by the federal government. As a matter of fact one of my neighbors in Alabama used to hide her rain barrel! Confused 🤔

[@xepheru3067]

​@@willalaseter3682 the government is so cruel, how can a human being condone making it illegal to conserve what falls from the sky?

[@willalaseter3682]

@@xepheru3067 I know right. But it's all about the Benjamins 💵💰

[@smplfi9859]

Thank you for advocating for creating paths of prosperity rather than advocating water rationing how many communists want it in California and in Tempe.

[@cchavezjr7]

@@willalaseter3682 The laws vary state to state. Some states allow it, some allow it under certain specifications and some don't allow it in any form.

[@Tammissa]

Amazing! Sometimes going back in time is better than futuristic ideas.

[@csmith4993]

Most times.

[@rtkyalpazz2497]

👍🏽✊🏽🙏🏽

[@cryon7260]

You even can combine both ways. BUT: The old methods tend to be way cheaper, last longer, have positive side effects and look better too. The whole sewege system is unnatural and wasty. The house heatings, transport and commutationn, agricultur.... it all could be done way better.But wait...why hasn't this been done yet ? I have an idea....

[@BS-j1965]

Agreed………only on something’s though!!!!

[@grandaddyc]

@@cryon7260 Cause since people congregated in citys for work they probably live in apartment 51 on the 17th floor.

[@ammarahmed5981]

This is awesome. I couldn't get fresh water for my plants and then I realized and started collecting water from air conditioning outlet of neighbors to water my plants.

[@jow6845]

you can keep a bucket in the shower as well - that’s good for plants - use eco soap to help

[@helgavierich4762]

this reminds me of the role of beavers on North America and western Eurasia. To capture the water during the rainy season, to slow down the surface flow and associated erosion, is vital. “Making water go further” means fundamentally altering regional hydrology with some quite simple steps: especially saving rainwater!

[@pauldurkee4764]

We have recognised the importance of beavers in the UK for water management and ecosystems, there are a number of beaver projects active to reintroduce them to the landscape. So we now have wild breeding beavers again in the UK.

[@chantaltulliez8066]

they are being reintroduced in some parts of the world...just saw a KZbin video from England where they are bringing back the beavers...finally sanity may prevail...

[@infinite5795]

We Indians have Baolis aka Step-wells and temple/field tanks, in Odisha, we call them Pushkarinis( from Sanskrit), and Pokharis/Gardias(in Odia) from the 3rd century BCE times, as in Khandagiri and Udayagiri regions of Bhubaneswar. Basically, rain water was collected at a higher place and made to flow through small canals into farmer fields or made stagnant into pools for public and temple uses. Even, dams constructed by Kings like our kings Prataparudra Deva in the 13th centuryAD, for instance. They all still help in water conservation.

[@lisakasprzycki]

I enjoy this comment as a reminder of the deep connection and respect for water ( ofcourse ! ) in such an incredible country.. also brings to mind videos that are very special to me about Ramanashram ( by its archivist , David Godman ). I am thinking of their 'tank' nearby there; the photos from the early 20th c. The water is so beautiful; it was respected and used for drinking. A community formed around it. ( Palakotu ? I need to look up the name of area ) At the time of the making of that video ( in last 10 years) , it is full of algae, and busy road throws garbage ; there's a chain link fence and the whole place is uninhabited and uncared for. Maybe with inspiration like this, someone will give love to that water again. 💦🙏🏼🌈

[@Blenduu]

Wow. I'd like to learn more, perhaps, interview someone that can share this knowledge for a course I am prepping. ❤

[@gpilsitz1783]

Mini reservoirs. Directed drainage. Repurposeing water to serve multiple uses.

[@srinisatyan1451]

Of course we do this, but we also don't actively practice water storage in recharge wells / ponds. And we keep removing forest cover or vegetation in the name of development/urbanisation. Just building wells/reservoirs won't conserve water, you need the right vegetation around it, and awareness not to dump waste.

[@melekmatan1408]

How can I contact you infinite####

[@karenmbbaxter]

This is normal in Australia because our water, utlities etc have all gone up so much in price.....It's actually cheaper to sustain yourself with solar electricity, harvesting water etc.

[@marieslabbert6009]

The same with us in South Africa.

[@diy5729]

Ponds, ponds and more ponds needed. Trees bring the rains.

[@keithmoore5224]

Simple way to save water junk the bath use a shower

[@Truthseeker371]

In Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, we had drought of 6 years till 2021. Though there are famous gigantic cascades there, installing irrigation system is not easy. Pooling water and choosing crops that don't require much water is so far effective.

[@hader5382]

😮​@@Truthseeker371 ع ❤1❤

[@louloubell6586]

I'm in Australia too and have a rainwater tank connected to the gutters from the roof to supply my house as there is no town water. We've been doing it for many, many years. We also have swales instead of gutters in our streets in some areas that feed water into lakes down the road from our houses that attract native wildlife and allow plants to grow. We also have toilets that use less water. This is normal for us.

[@RETROREPORT]

Very cool --thanks for sharing

[@anonny2994]

How do you keep the water from going bad?

[@sydneypitcher7632]

This is absolutely beautiful to see. If only every community and government in the world adopted these practices, cultures and attitudes, the world world be so much better. So proud of this community and the city of Tucson and what a heart-warming inspiration.

[@two-sense]

I live in a rainforest. This is so impressive how these people are dealing with their water challenges. We just call it "liquid sunshine" here on the west coast of B.C. Canada.

[@etiennelouw9244]

Over here in Cape Town, South Africa, I dug a trench (swale) to catch water and put it back into the ground. I am the only one in my neighborhood to do this. The thing that bothers me is that Cape Town city is drilling into the aquifers with no idea how to recharge them. Politicians are short sighted and a large problem with all their in fighting instead of trying to work together. About 4 years ago we almost ran out of water in Cape Town and when the drought broke almost everybody reverted to their old ways of doing things. In Namibia they have recycled water for a long time and put it back in use and 40 years ago I told some engineers that we need to do the same, nothing happened. Politics and money got in the way, to do something 40 years ago would have been cheaper than to catch up now.

[@jorees]

They are drilling aquifers in nz and bottling the water for china

[@bobleclair5665]

When I was renting on land in Florida,the dripping of air conditioner was continuous. I planted a lime tree to catch the dripping, a good way of watering plants, In southern Florida, an air conditioner produces 5 to 10 gallons of water daily ,

[@lorrquigley494]

my grandparents in Ireland had an above ground cement tank collecting water from roof down pipes. Served through an electric pump. It was used for bathing and dishes but not drinking. An open well, nearby, filled w spring water, always cold, was crisp and clear for consumption. All off-grid, except for electricity. Propane gas tanks for cooking stove in the kitchen. Coal buring range for heating water and baking or cooking, also heated linen closet and serviced radiators.

[@RETROREPORT]

Thanks for sharing -- interesting to hear how people can live somewhat off the grid like this.

[@joy4ki]

Water is such a precious resorce & we squander it daily. Love the 'ripple effect' of the community led, hands on education programs. 🌱🌳🌴🦋🐞🌻💖

[@bhartley1024]

Rainwater harvesting is great, the only problem is people usually think too small. In my country we collect rainwater from the whole roof and store it in underground concrete tanks. My house has 3000 sq ft of catchment area and 19,000 gallons of storage. We should have built even more storage volume because it frequently overflows in the wet part of the year and occasionally runs low in the dry part. We get 55" of rain per year.

[@brandondavidson4085]

According to Wikipedia, a johad is technically a "percolation" pond so not only does it collect water, it's actually filtering groundwater into the pond so that's fresh and clean

[@emrahozer6361]

Storing water underground for a long time sounds like a good idea rather than let it evaporate in the open. But how do you purify the water in the concrete tank to make it safe to drink? Also in time some mud might also gather in the tank which would come from the dust on your roof. Do you clean your concrete tanks from time to time?

[@dodopson3211]

​@@emrahozer6361a first flush diverter would wash away the majority of junk from the roof, this would then not end up in the storage tanks.

[@emrahozer6361]

@@dodopson3211 thanks for the info, took a look at google and saw a lot of them, definitely useful

[@bhartley1024]

@@emrahozer6361 You could use a first flush system, but no one here does. We just accept that there will be some sediment at the bottom of the tank. Ours has a divider in the middle that comes up about half way so when the water runs out in one side, you still have a quarter of a tank left. When it gets low like that we clean one side and pump the water to the other side and clean that one too. I think we've cleaned ours 3 or 4 times in 23 years. Some people clean them more frequently than others, some people filter or boil the water before drinking it. Ours is clean enough that I have no problems drinking it directly, we have a 5 micron filter but that probably still lets bacteria through. Our roofs are whitewashed, traditionally with lime, but nowadays with lime-rich white cement wash. Some roofs use a white elastomeric polymer paint. The white roof shows dirt very well, giving you an indication when it is time to clean and repaint the roof.

[@postholedigger8726]

NO MORE LAWN MEANS NO MORE LAWN COSTS AND NO MORE AIR CONDITIONER COSTS. About 30 years ago I reforested the lot around our house. When we purchased the house it was a typical grass lawn with two trees suburban home. I initially planted 60 young hardwood trees throughout the yard and 90 Burford Holly bushes around the perimeter of the property. Looking at a house as having four walls and one roof I concluded that 4/5ths of the heat was coming through the walls and 1/5th was coming through the roof. The roof was getting direct heat and the walls were getting direct heat plus reflected heat reflected from the lawn. .My reasoning was the trees would stop direct sunlight and the Holly bushes would stop reflected sunlight hitting the walls of house. Before the trees and Holly bushes grew to their current size we had to run the air conditioner 24/7. This gave us a power bill close to $400.00 a month. In spite of the high power pill, it was unable to cool the house to a comfortable temperature. I made a few modifications to the house by adding roofed decks around the back and front entrances, to block the heat coming into the house through the doors, plus replacing the small window in the upstairs bedroom with French Doors plus a small roofed deck. The French Doors effectively took out most of the upper bedroom wall allowing the heat rising from the lower floors to escape. As the trees and Holly Bushes grew providing more shade the electric bill came down. Now the house is surrounded with a forest canopy and we no longer use or need the air conditioner. Our electric bill has been reduced by almost 75% and is currently $110.00 a month. The forest canopy is filled in to a point where the house can no longer be seen from the street. The property forestation is completely self sustaining and does not require watering, chemicals, mowing or any other human intervention.

[@ziziroberts8041]

A water garden. Every school needs one. Beautiful. I will research this. ❤

[@qualqui]

This is AWESOME, both what the Indian gentleman did in his "neck of the woods"and what Brad has done in Tucson, something similar needs to be done here in central Mexico, and was surprised to see the Water agency CEA, even offer help and advice on how to take advantage of the rainy season and catch the rainwater. Although 2022 was a drought year, only 8 days worth of rain vs.90 days worth in a normal rainy season, we could really make a difference and not pipe water in from a poor region here in my state with broken promises by politicians to better the life of those rural residents living there.

[@harrymills2770]

Yes. The broken promises are that they will give restitution for the harm done, when what was lost was priceless. That's why they took it.

[@lagringa7518]

Half of this Mexican water issue is that all of the degraded public leaky water pipes that lose 45+% of the water being sent.... that's a lot! I see it every day in my neighborhood, the people who can't get water to their houses and then water bubbling up in the middle of the streets that is lost doing no one any good.... but everyone has to pay anyway. So what are those Samapa payments for if not to upgrade their systems???

[@bm8292]

But the Indian gentleman, Rajender Singh was prosecuted by the government of the day for taking water from his own creation.

[@qualqui]

@@bm8292 really? That's a hummers.🤪

[@Kakashi713]

I'm in SoCal (next door state and 6 ish hour drive from Tucson) and started Rainwater collecting and Harvesting last fall. It was so much better to use it because it's free, it's from nature providing down and I can use it to water my plants and garden. I bought a 50 gal tank and it got overfilled pretty fast. This year I'll be getting another 50 gal for this year's harvest.

[@RETROREPORT]

Very cool, thanks for sharing.

[@Bettinasisrg]

Dr. Singh is amazing! And Mr. Lancaster did well to build on his wisdom

[@funtime-gq8ju]

We need more ppl like him

[@ericsharris5098]

Supposedly, when the bison covered the western plains, they would dig numerous small pond. Counterintuitively, these ponds, despite exposing water directly to the air, actually conserved water, compared to the grasslands they replaced. An acre of pond, after all, has only an acre of surface area exposed to the air. But an acre of grassland has all the surface area of the grass, and some of the interior spaces of the grass -- much more area. Don't recall the name of the book where I read this, but the source of the historical information and modern analysis seemed authoritative, and the explanation seemed to, um, hold water.

[@harrymills2770]

That's pretty counter-intuitive. But the grass is actively making sugars out of CO2 and H20 as well as releasing some water through its leaves to cool itself in the heat of the day. And that IS more surface area than just the surface area of the pond. But if there's not much moisture, the grasses will go dormant. Maybe there are many factors at work. There's a boundary layer close to the water that's pretty saturated, and any evaporation makes that layer cool down, decreasing the rate of evaporation. I doubt I could figure it all out, not that you were asking me to try.

[@beccathib3656]

🤤

[@downbntout]

Plus the root mass which facilitates rainfall infiltration, and holds water by means of glomalin and related adhesives produced by the root tip to hold the rhizosphere together

[@kolsen6330]

In Tacoma, Washington it is illegal to collect the water from your roof because it belongs to the county. They also charge a "storm water fee" to pay for the storm drains on the streets. I ran all the downspouts into the old, unused septic tank and stopped having to water the back lawn. Of course I didnt bother the city asking for permits.

[@chantaltulliez8066]

The insanity of it all...

[@oldhamegg]

That's not true. Can you collect rainwater in Tacoma? Use a rain barrel in your yard and garden to capture and reuse the free rainwater. The City of Tacoma does not provide rain barrels or rebates for them but a search for rain barrel or cistern will provide a long list of vendors. If you would rather shop locally, be sure to check your local hardware or garden store. Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) - City of Tacoma

[@Twindragon-tu1wd]

If its collected and used it still goes down the drain after and less is wasted ❤😂🎉

[@kolsen6330]

@@Twindragon-tu1wd Thats not the way the city looks at it. They made me remove my rain barrel from the downspout. I should note that this is University Place, a suburb city of Tacoma. I screwed them in the end. Plumbed the downspouts into the old septic tank that had been unused for 30 years or more. The leach field does a great job of watering the lawn.

[@kolsen6330]

@@oldhamegg I was in University Place. The Code idiot came by and made me remove my blue plastic rain barrels from the downspouts. (And lectured me for a half hour about how much trouble I could be in) Might be ok in Tacoma but UP has its head firmly placed in a dark spot. Thats why I now live in the woods in S Oregon.

[@st.george007]

Singh is a credit to his people and for that matter all people.

[@dankeener3307]

Here in Lancaster, PA I made it a goal to accommodate all rain that fell onto our property by using rain gardens and rain barrels. Because of our location we can also receive our neighbor’s driveway and roof runoff and some of the roadside drain water is directed into our street-side rain garden. All this supports fruit trees, native shrubs and vegetable and pollinator gardens. Very fun! Thx for promoting wise use of rainwater.

[@oBseSsIoNPC]

I have watched videos years ago, showcasing large scale reclamation of barren soil and land, by means of catching fog, as well as building terraces that slow water flow and allowing it to sink in where needed. Based on that, I have been patiently waiting on a property to shape myself and since last year, I have been doing so. Not only catching rainwater, but also soil composition is a huge task, but the sooner we start to fixing things, the sooner we have a positive impact. Slowing down water is step one. Now you have moist soil that can turn into organic matter (by means of adding scraps and food waste). Let nature do the rest. It is VERY addictive and results become apparent within a year!

[@RETROREPORT]

Very cool !

[@anniehills3580]

Proud of you using the rain properly!❤❤

[@mousehouse3591]

This is so weird to me because most houses in Australia have water tanks as standard home features, we have a 5000 litre and 20000 litre tank which is pretty normal. Great to see the US is finally embracing the idea.

[@lk7195]

​@@violetroseishI'm not sure why either. I thought the southwest always did that. I'm from the south east and we get about 170-180 cm of rain a year I think they get about 10-15 in the south west.

[@Unsolicitedbias]

I believe that the Hydrological Cycle is Plants. I have practiced "calling the Rain", by growing a lot of potted plants and then added a lot of plant matter to the bare spots in my complex. I kid you not. I have forced watered the sod to increase sod mass, and I took cuttings from my Song of India plants, a Dracaena reflexa plant that propagates easily and is hearty and drought and sand tolerant. The effect is to get more growing plant matter in a given space and the roots store water in the soil. I also use a lot of succulent ground cover plants like dwarf rhoeo to fill in bare spots, and layer with clumps of taller plants interspersed in the cover area to give it some shade. My complex likes grass, which I know is too water and care intensive, so I sneak in the ground covers here and there to balance the grass and give the landscape more depth and less intensive watering and care. So when I water with tap, I get rain either later that night or maybe the next day. If I skip watering a lot, then the rains become fewer and fewer. It's really the plants acting as a pump while stabilizing the soil, storing carbon in the roots and slowing the movement of water when it does rain. Then as the heat builds here in South Florida by late June, the rains come more and more and the plants put the excess water back into the air and that goes aloft and at night the cooler temperatures drop to the dew points and rain falls. It's just a biological pump. But you have to cultivate plants a lot of plants and you have to in the Spring water to Prime the Pump. The plants need to be drought tolerant to the Winter Spring slow season and then when rains come in the Sumer Fall like here in South Florida, they will survive the dry times and grow in the wet. The plants hold the soil, and cool it allowing for a complex microbiome that is really absolutely necessary for plants to survive. Microbiomes don't like dry, hot dirt. They like cool, moist, warm soil. So, I will even tolerate any weed or plant that first emerges into a new area, just to get cover and to promote nitrogen fixation. Then later the desired species will typically crowd the "weeds" out. But there are no bad plants and weeds are far better than dry patches of sun baked dirt.

[@jackstraw262]

Amazing how these people used the ancient tech of “digging a hole” to retain water. I’m blown away. We have so much to learn from their ways.

[@chillxxx241]

We did it in Texas when we were like 8 years old because we wanted to use our water guns in our “forts”. It’s just common sense.

[@buyerofsorts]

Ha! I know. I was thinking the same thing. Hey check out their upcoming video where they show the ancient technique on how to avoid water pooling in a certain area. Its called a "Hill".

[@florwhiteman4971]

Please keep up this work, hopefully this will be on the national level, not only one state or city.

[@gijsv8419]

This has a big benefit, cooling down the area. The greener the surface of the cointry the better

[@davidangelo8902]

I agree. Love this! We need more people doing this here in the southwest or we will be in trouble. Great to see that Brad is always out there working hard. Thank you for the video!

[@RETROREPORT]

Thanks for your comment. Glad you enjoyed the video -- if you're interested in more Retro Report you can find us on social @RetroReport

[@NutritionVilla]

The video highlights the environmental, community, and cultural benefits of rainwater harvesting, as well as the challenges and opportunities for scaling up this practice. It's a fascinating look at how age-old techniques can provide modern solutions to water scarcity.

[@emmahardesty4330]

People have farmed very well in the Sonoran Desert for over 4 thousand yrs. Sustainability is possible with logic and care, and many other folks like Brad. Tucson is smart.

[@y.harveynorman1392]

Maybe for hundreds of thousands of Native People. But not for millions of Americans.

[@magesalmanac6424]

Indigenous peoples of the Americas viewed themselves as custodians of the earth. So many of their practices were sustainable and worked with nature. Modern American farming tries to squeeze every last bit from the earth. The whole industry is not sustainable.

[@sabrinad3679]

​​​@@y.harveynorman1392 everybody has a roof to collect water. Each home and building should collect water ! And recycle grey waters.

[@b_uppy]

Natives initially made mistakes but had kind of figured how to live in balance, with time by the Europeans came.

[@b_uppy]

​@@denisehill1215 You want to plant-biome appropriate trees. It's a good tree, but be sure any plants you plant en masse are light drinkers if you plant live in drylands.

[@mountaingardening]

Love this! We need more people doing this here in the southwest or we will be in trouble. Great to see that Brad is always out there working hard. Thank you for the video!

[@RETROREPORT]

We totally agree -- very cool to see people using imaginative methods to help the environment.

[@donjonjr1]

And they need to stop destructive drainage policies that are drying out the ecosystems. Backyard drains to the front yard, drains to the gutter, drains to the storm drain, drains to the river dasin and out to sea with no time to soak in.

[@lindabonomi7274]

We ARE in trouble...if we don't stop overbuilding, overuse of water (golf courses), our faucets will be dry tomorrow!

[@montanawarren8462]

​@@lindabonomi7274typical white man doesn't think farther than his pecker or his pocketbook and definitely not the future for his children

[@elzaaltmann]

I have harvested water for the past 20 years, made a move and now again. Nothing like rain water! 😊❤

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

My father used indigenous methods to grow the vegetables to feed our family of six. And we always watered at night and collected rainwater in trash cans and barrels. It’s really easy, though it would have known some of the methods of getting the water to the plants shown here.

[@RETROREPORT]

Very cool -- Thanks for sharing!

[@desertdan100]

I grew up on a farm in the Midwest and had relatives that were ranchers out West. We farmed very hilly ground and could not irrigate. We only had what rain fall came down. I am Swedish and my family left a very poor area and immigrated to America and settled. We were sustainable before it was a buzz word. We consulted my Great Grandfather about problem areas and how to fix them. I am 56 and probably the last to know how to improve the soils and recharge the subsoil moisture in the hill's. We learned that it takes the plow and disk to fix some things and terraces, water ways and ponds to fix others. Sometimes you need trees and plants to absorb water from areas that lay stagnant to keep the rest of the water clean. No one wants to listen today and thinks that they are so much smarter and that Science proves that the old ways were wrong. One day when they can't figure out how to fix these issues and try and turn back, the knowledhe and those who kept it will be gone. We produced almost as much dry farming hills as those who irrigate and waste money on chemicals today.

[@TheRozylass]

I wish more people could see that the earth was prepared with enough! We just need to be more efficient in how we store and use resources. Great job in Tucson. I've looked at many projects around the world and am amazed at the ingenuity of people. It gives me hope because I've always believed that people are the answer to the challenges of life, not the problem.

[@shudhanshushekharsingh]

Such water Harvesting techniques have long been engrained into the Indian Culture be it in form of Bawris , Johads ,Jhalara, Tankas , Kundas and Baolis. Even Indus Valley civilisation sites like Dholavira had at least five baths and the size of one is comparable with the Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro. Keep up the good work!

[@SILOPshuvambanerjee]

Absolutely right brother

[@aosaeanor]

Baths is what the English historians & archeologists interpreted these as. But in the Indian region remnants of stepwells & others like it which are far more ancient can be seen all over . Probably the Westerners thought of Baths as that's what they were familiar with -- the ancient Roman baths that were a community activity .

[@GobiSubramaniam]

Historical digs in places like Mohenjo-daro shows a very advance water management system where they had created artificial lakes which serves as a water-catching areas for the whole city and community. This techniques can also found later in other parts of India as went as far as influencing famous places like Angkor Wat in Thailand.

[@mjz16]

There are people in South America that “plant” water too. They find water underground and direct it from there.

[@ChristaFree]

AZ was selling their water to a Saudi company to grow alfalfa. That just stopped not long ago, this year. It went on for years.

[@mjkay8660]

many old homes had copper holding tanks for rain water, and many farms had holding tanks also. no downspouts without barrels. progress.

[@Planet_Cents]

Absolutely love this! It is so important for all of us to understand that conserving and preserving our natural ecosystem is not a very complex problem that we project it to be, ancient traditional knowledge has been preserved very efficiently without science and technology and we love how they embrace it. Adding the video to one of our playlist to keep inspiring more people ~Team planet cents

[@RETROREPORT]

Glad you liked the video! We also have a related lesson plan if you know of any teachers who might be interested: www.retroreport.org/education/video/rain-savers/

[@cfoley6489]

The issue really is not water... It's land and herd animal management. Put back trees, create water caches (like beavers do in the wild), allow cattle and sheep to intensively and rotationally graze between the tree lines. Use tree and indiginous tall grass rows to both stabilize the topsoil and retain moisture.

[@juliegale3863]

On farms in UK I remember seeing up the uplands ponds called Dew Ponds. They were scraped out areas, sometimes natural, that caught the morning dew or rain to make watering places for the cattle. Mainly on high grassy areas like the south Downs of Kent and Sussex.

[@ErnestGregory-o4c]

Amazing! Sometimes going back in time is better than futuristic ideas.. Amazing! Sometimes going back in time is better than futuristic ideas..

[@richardbird5697]

We are moving to the country in australia first things to go onto propery big shed and water tanks .swales and trees.

[@erroleabrown4317]

One of the extremely important lessons that should be learn at school because water is life giving life sustaining water is essential

[@agonov1]

I cried , too. The change is here!!!!❤

[@1RikAtiC1]

What a lovely and inspiring man that Mr Singh is.

[@edwardhardy3469]

In Cochise county during the early 1950-1960s every valley farm had dirt water revisors for capturing rainwater! Now these dirt dams are very rare. Local people have forgotten how this works.

[@SoberOKMoments]

Proof once again how one man or woman can make a huge difference. Well done for all concerned!

[@pedrothewise2584]

community enables positive change for community gotta be good.

[@downtoearth1950]

You have to slow water down as it flows through the local landscape /enviroment, not drain it away quickly.

[@Sjalabais]

"Everyone around us, they're part of the potential of this place" A resounding *yes* to that one. Permaculture is about involvement. There is basic democracy in localised action. What a great example Lancaster's leading role is for other neighbourhoods!

[@b_uppy]

Couple this with planting trees where it is too steep for rainwater harvesting catchments to protect from dessicating wind and solarization. Where the terrain starts to get shallow use small, frequently placed checkdams, bunds, swales, etc to slow and soak in water. Soil and biome-appropriate plantlife protect the water from evaporating while recharging both the land it is near, as well as the land down stream. While trees trnspire water the carbon they sequester helps purify water and help the soil to soak in water while also retain it. The pollen they release helps clouds to release their moisture back to earth. A good general mix of plant life also prevents wind dessication and solarization and as well as carbon. It all works together.

[@aosaeanor]

Long grass with deep roots is necessary. The long grass traps moisture from air as well as water when it rains. The roots help the water reach deep into the soil.

[@b_uppy]

@@aosaeanor It should be pointed out that only some trees and grasses get deep roots, root diversity is good. ●If grass (and forbs (forbs are broad-leaved, non woody plants)) is overgrazed the trees still protect it. Many grasses are perennials. It's why some manage deep roots. Grasses tend to build soil quickly because grazing causes die off of roots. The dead roots' carbon stays in the soil. It is best to avoid overgrazing. Too much grazing (eating more than half, or grazing below 7", whichever comes first) kills off too many roots and grass takes much longer to regrow. This means it produces much less food than mob-grazed pasture. It also loses drought and heatwave resistence, as well as being vulnerable to washout. Livestock need food diversity, as well as shade and wind protection. Trees can do that. Alley cropping provides a happy medium suitable to our prairies because they mimic savannas. The Great Plains had a lot more trees prior to Native occupation. ●Trees can get much deeper, broader roots. They degrade and create a faster pathway thru hardpan to recharge aquifers, etc. Trees have the advantage of supporting more types of mycelium. Mycelium is important because it transports water and nutrients, depending the soil health network. Trees prevent erosion from pelting rains, reduce dessication from wind and solarization. We need both. Trees create more usable products that create resilience. Instead of the Great Plains being dominated by annual grass crops like wheat, corn, barley, we would be better with more plant diversity, and livestock directly grazing from instead of disjointed layers of management.

[@MaLiArtworks186]

We can change drought lands into gardens. Need this in Texas.

[@Anonymous79896]

Give these people millions and get this information mainstream.

[@patriciatinkey2677]

A great step in the right direction! Thanks for sharing this. I live in South Florida, & we have a feast or famine type of situation with our rain. I use a catchment system for the garden that has eliminated the need to use city water for my yard. Outdoor shower for cooling off on these scorching summer days is next.

[@Peachy08]

So basically, you are doing what we would do when we were kids. I grew up in west Texas and anytime we had rain we used sticks and rocks to divert rain water and make little lakes and rivers in our imaginary play.

[@janesmith9024]

One of the only times I am pleased it so often seem to be raining here in the UK even in July now (whilst some of mainland Europe seems to be up to 40C this week)........ Even so need to keep all our trees and preserve water where we can. Having 18m more people here than when I was born (and 600k record net immigration to the UK) is making things much harder here - we are so crowded, far too many people here and on the planet - now up to 8 billion on the planet.

[@marinaharmon5775]

Just because where you live, it feels cramped, doesn't mean it is everywhere. There is enough room for everyone plus those are yet to be born .

[@judithwake2757]

Gee ! DUH !!! I've used Rain catchment for ALL my water on my farm since 1971.

[@atenas80525]

In Colorado, the state is ordering the removal of 100s of ponds (i.e. johads) in the Arkansas basin - two steps forward, 3 steps back . .

[@shawneenhammer4241]

Can surely tell that this gets your soul because the little girl is just overcome with emotions when they speak of the importance of her job to show others how to do this. Now and in the up-and-coming future . She is a light for us in the darkness of disparity that people feel right now towards Mother Earth and Father Sky. Water is her lifeblood and she knows in her heart that she is an important part of that continuance. Keep up the good work you are the custodians of your future.💦🌌✌️❤️🌌🌠🌏🌎🌍🫵

[@donjonjr1]

Nice work! The world needs more of this

[@theondebray]

Interesting. I live in England where water shortages are not usually a problem. BUT, 2022 was the hottest Summer ever, one day 44C out the back of my house in England's green & pleasant land - usually. My garden & plants only just survived precisely because I have three water storage tanks, recycle / reuse all waste water. It was a close call, with all my stored water tanks empty before the Autumn rains came. (But this year, all the plants and WEEDS are coming back with a vengeance.) Its definitely going to get worse in the future. I have seen many integrated farms in Thailand with water storage, wells to refill the aquifers, use of food/fruit trees to shade the ground, big storage ponds in which fish are reared, Tilapia being bred in the rice fields whilst flooded. Water conservation is the norm in other parts of the world.

[@eyeexcel]

Hi, I heard more weeds = healthier soil. Maybe it's a good thing

[@theondebray]

@@eyeexcel Definitely. But I would say 'more plants' rather than more weeds which can be horribly invasive & choke out the plants you want. Alan Titchmarsh would be horrified if he saw my higgledepiggledy plants everywhere garden!

[@libbyjensen1858]

I LOVE this! I'd love to see this put to use in my city in Minnesota!

[@charlespaynter8987]

Don’t forget that growing plants helps build soil health which in turn leads to increased organic matter levels which holds more water. Win win win 😊

[@bozo28able]

In a lot of states here, it's illegal to collect rainwater. The claims water from any and all sources belong to the state. So, you can be fined if you do collect rain water. Oregon has had this law for years now.

[@davechristensen8299]

THANK GOD FOR PEOPLE LIKE THESE!

[@sonicclang]

This isn't sustainability, this is regeneration! Just incredible to see neighborhoods and the city embracing this.

[@teachoc9482]

I love how the teacher told the girl she was smart, and that was so impactful to the girl that she started crying. That's the way to teach. :)

[@CarolineBearoline]

This channel consistently has had interesting and thought-provoking pieces ❤ The production value is off-the-charts, as always

[@Oldirocks]

Thk u for the water conservation

[@Junzar56]

Incentivizing rainwater harvesting. Genius! I love Brad!s book!

[@falseprofit4u]

The only barrier to solutions is a closed mind.

[@chantaltulliez8066]

Congratulations for being part of the solution...greetings from Australia

[@fernandocortes1187]

Great solution depending on the soil composition. I digged a hole 6 meters in diameter with more than 30 cubic meters capacity. Fiĺed iy with water and all water drained in a couple of hours

[@furrycircuitry2378]

You should line that hole with clay it'll help slow down the drainage 9r maybe even a plastic sheeting

[@jumauniverse8348]

Sir Singh thank you for your hardwork. Human, animals, tree need water

[@kgs2280]

This gives me hope for the future, and with new methods that will work in Cincert with whatever one person has created, and with 10:59 the new ideas coming in regularly, it will become an intuitive system helping many more people. I can visualize Tucson becoming a “garden City, and with people growing one, two or three kinds of fruits or vegetables can share and trade with other people growing two or three, or more. And if everyone saves seeds, or also share plants, it will begin to feed more people, and with more variety, which improves health. There is no limit to the possibilities.

[@stonedapefarmer]

Always love seeing new stuff with Brad! Thanks!

[@brandonmusser3119]

We need this all across the Southwest even where I'm at in Colorado

[@rebacarmack8335]

Can’t believe some states still forbid rainwater catchment ???

[@ajlived6034]

I love this! I already collect as much as a can in rain barrels. Where can a person find someone to help her do this as a system?

[@JeffreyWillis800]

Pretty cool, I'd like to see/learn more about it. Where I live in Virginia, we seem to have plenty of rain. But still I have 5 rain barrels with about 50 gallons each of water.

[@sjr7822]

I'm old so I'm somewhat educated about when the well runs dry, we had to haul our water from a spring for many years. No money to drill a well beyond the hand-dug well. Today, I have a well that never goes dry, and yet, I still recycle water. If I wash the vegetables in water, I use that water for my vegetable gardens. We always caught the water in rain barrels. I was upset when town ordinances claim all of the water from the sky and made those catching water, deemed as criminals. I'm glad some people have found a way around this type of control. The tarp is a good idea if you haven't any other access to water, use the tarp to funnel the water into a holding tank or whatever you have to catch water. 03:54 I also have an outdoor shower, which I love more than the two indoor showers. I enjoyed this video. Well done~

[@QuiChiYang2]

Brad is a famous teacher of water management. Respect 🙏

[@CrochetIsLife54]

Another place to find water harvesting techniques is on islands. Places like Key West have a finite supply of fresh water, so houses had built-in water harvesting and storage.

[@risingsun49]

Arizona had a huge amount of snow last year when that melted didnt it provide a lot of water for the rivers and streams. Its wonderful your catching rain water. Im in the Grand Canyon this summer and driving around i thought why dobt more people do this.

[@jow6845]

Brilliant!

[@GLORIAADU-dt4iu]

Thank you for the information. have been trying to find ways to save water.

[@annakonda6727]

Fantastic video, and interesting informative comments, too. Thank you!

[@RETROREPORT]

Thanks so much -- as a small nonprofit this kind of comment means a lot. If you want more Retro Report in your life :) you can follow us on social, @RetroReport

[@nabamkhasarrungmu3975]

Great work 💚

[@RETROREPORT]

Thanks so much!

[@SandraEdwards-j4u]

Praise God for His wisdom and His wonderful Son Jesus.

[@Corndogg316]

Well done. Looking good Stacy!!🙏

[@goforit194]

Great work folks

[@RETROREPORT]

Thanks! We really appreciate your comment

[@josephpaul6386]

I live in Tucson. -just saw this video - and a few others like it - best news about helping water in this area - Brad needs to congratulated for helping save water and planet - just like in other areas and countries -