Rehydrating the Concrete Jungle

TL;DR

An artistic and whimsical water harvesting system in downtown Seattle slows the flow of rainwater, supports vegetation, and improves water quality in the Puget Sound.

Transcript

we are right in the middle of downtown Seattle just a few blocks away from the start of the Puget Sound and the streets are super steep there's tall buildings and there's almost nowhere to harvest and infiltrate rainwater yet here we are just up from a huge water body that connects at the ocean so in this hyper dense and very developed and kind of ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 Urban areas can implement artistic and whimsical water harvesting systems to slow down rainwater flow and support vegetation.
• ⚖️ Wide-scale adoption of such systems can have significant positive impacts on the environment, including vegetation and hydrology.
• 😒 The use of surge tanks and sculptural downspouts can effectively slow down the flow of rainwater.
• 💦 By infiltrating rainwater and preventing rapid drainage, water quality in nearby bodies of water can be improved.
• 💦 Integrating creativity, functionality, and process in water harvesting systems can enhance urban sustainability.
• 👳 The showcased system demonstrates the potential for widespread implementation of similar structures throughout highly developed urban areas.
• 🚰 Rainwater harvesting systems contribute to building up the subsurface water table, benefiting the natural ecosystem.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the purpose of the cistern in the water harvesting system?

The cistern acts as a surge tank, slowing down rainwater during heavy downpours and preventing it from racing directly into the Puget Sound. It allows the water to infiltrate and soak into the ground, benefiting vegetation and the water table.

Q: How does the sculptural downspout contribute to the water harvesting process?

The multi-pronged downspout, adorned with plants, further slows down the flow of water as it traverses down the side of the building. This additional slowing mechanism helps prevent rapid drainage into the street and allows for water infiltration.

Q: What are the potential benefits of replicating this water harvesting system throughout the city?

By multiplying this system on every street and building, there can be widespread impacts on the environment. Vegetation would benefit, as the system supports a microclimate and allows water to infiltrate instead of being quickly drained away. The hydrology and subsurface water table would also experience positive effects.

Q: How does the water harvesting system improve water quality in the Puget Sound?

The system slows down the flow of rainwater and allows for filtration through vegetation and natural processes. This helps reduce pollutants and sediment runoff, leading to improved water quality in the Puget Sound.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In downtown Seattle, amidst tall buildings and steep streets, a unique water harvesting system is implemented.

• The system includes a cistern that serves as a surge tank, slowing down rainwater before it infiltrates through small ponds and a forested area.

• The water then flows down a sculptural downspout, being further slowed before reaching the street and eventually the Puget Sound.