Water Management & Security on Vast Dry Landscapes

Manmade pond that supports the drip irrigation system at the Hyderabad Collective 

Setting up a water management system is the first step in farming, especially when working towards bringing a dry landscape to life, such as that of the Hyderabad Collective. We need vegetation to restore a landscape and water to grow vegetation. Introducing vegetation means introducing life, and the base of all life is water.

Bore water may be sufficient for farm plots, but how do we account for water on a 100+ Ac landscape designed to be a home for 80-100 families? Artificial irrigation and water supply systems have been a regular practice in large-scale monoculture farms. But we are working on a permaculture farm, where we go with the flow of naturally available water – rainwater.

1. Calculate How Much Rainfall Your Landscape Receives

In the journey of large-scale permaculture farming, the first critical step involves understanding and assessing the land’s natural water availability, primarily rainwater. Collecting and analysing data from previous years regarding rainfall patterns, droughts, groundwater levels, and recharge rates play a crucial role in determining the overall water supply for the entire expanse.

By scrutinising the historical data, we gain invaluable insights into the land’s water-holding capacity and potential to support and sustain a given population. This information is vital in ascertaining the land’s ability to fully support the inhabitants’ needs, ensuring an autonomous system without relying on external water sources. Moreover, it allows us to identify and implement appropriate design interventions to guarantee a continuous and reliable water supply for daily consumption.

2. Analyse How it Flows Across the Landscape

Understanding the water dynamics of your land requires a comprehensive study of its surrounding environment. By observing how water moves on your land as well as beyond it, and considering factors such as adjacent hills, valleys, and channels that facilitate water flow, you can gain valuable insights into the water movement patterns. Identifying the high and low points of the landscape and recognising water retention zones, infiltration zones, and potential flood areas further contribute to our understanding.

A critical aspect of this analysis involves mapping the primary monsoon streams within your landscape. This information aids in comprehending the natural water pathways that influence your land’s hydrology. Inclusive of the hydrology study, you gain a comprehensive overview of how water flows on, over, and below the ground, enabling you to gauge its availability for consumption. This holistic approach to studying water movement and availability is instrumental in planning and implementing effective water management strategies.

3. Slowing Down Water

In arid landscapes, where water is scarce and precious, our primary objective is to conserve every drop available. The key to achieving this goal is capturing and retaining all the naturally occurring water within the land. By implementing strategic earthworks, such as constructing check dams along stream beds, we effectively disrupt the water flow, enabling it to slow down and accumulate.

Making running water walk and walking water crawl maximises the retention and utilisation of this valuable resource. Since 2021, we have taken significant steps towards water conservation, building up to 54 check dams across over 100+ acres of land in the Hyderabad Collective. By harnessing the potential of earthworks, we pave the way for a more water-secure future for the community and the land we cherish.

4. Soaking Water

Effective water conservation goes beyond surface-level measures; it involves restoring groundwater levels for long-term sustainability. Increasing groundwater levels is crucial as it ensures adequate recharge of wells and lakes during the dry season, providing a reliable water source even during drought. Earthworks like digging swales can help increase the water-soaking capacity over time and help it behave like a giant sponge.

Moisture is vital for nurturing healthy soil, the foundation for cultivating a diverse and thriving food forest. The soil must maintain sufficient water levels to support a wide range of fruits, vegetables, grains, and pulses within the same climatic conditions.

Another key strategy in water retention involves planting drought-resistant species that establish themselves early in the soil but also promote water percolation. This approach forms the second layer of effective water absorption and conservation by facilitating the locking-in of water to support various other plant species in the future.

5. Storing Water

Efficiently managing water for day-to-day farming and household needs is crucial, alongside slowing down and soaking water for landscape restoration. Creating water bodies like lakes, ponds, wells, and tanks is pivotal in distributing the water load throughout the area.

Moreover, the ground itself acts as a natural storage reservoir once water permeates into it. This natural process enables the recharge of wells and lakes over time. We can strike a balance between water conservation and utilisation by harnessing both artificial and natural water storage mechanisms.

6. Efficient Water Use

As we lay the foundation for water security, practising the economical use of water becomes imperative. Implementing efficient water systems such as drip irrigation, reusing kitchen water for vegetable patches, and greywater recycling is essential to optimising water usage.

Larger landscapes give us the opportunity to harvest, catch and store transformational amounts of water that falls on the ground, which would be tricky on smaller fragmented plots. By adopting integrated methods of water managements, we ensure that every drop of water serves its purpose, contributing to the overall water security of our environment. The judicious use of water empowers us to make the most of available resources, promoting sustainability and resilience in our water management practices.