Santa Cruz County Water Harvesting Guidance Manual

Water harvesting is the process of intercepting stormwater runoff from a surface (e.g. roof, parking area, land surface), and putting it to beneficial use. Intercepted stormwater can be collected, slowed down, and retained or routed through the site landscape using microbasins, swales and other water harvesting structures. Water harvesting reduces dependence on limited groundwater reserves. Capturing and using stormwater runoff also reduces site discharge and erosion, and the potential transport of stormwater pollutants.

Keywords: water harvesting; microbasins; swales; French drains; gabions; water tanks; mulch; case studies; design examples