Imagine…your morning shower is a refreshing rainstorm delivered straight from your shower!
At Abundance EcoVillage we are entirely water self-sufficient, as we harness our own rainwater to source extraordinarily pure, fresh water to each home. Two grades of purified, pressurized water are delivered to each home:
1Grade 1 water reaches all of the taps inside the home for use in the washing machine, dishwasher, and sinks. Each house collects rainwater off the roof and carries it underground to two cisterns. Abundance EcoVillage has never experienced a shortage of water. The water in these tanks pass through a three-step purification process before reaching your home: Charcoal, sediment filters, and UV light purification. The system has received DNR drinking grade water approval and is monitored regularly. We do recommend getting an additional filter for drinking purposes, should one filter unexpectedly fail.
2 Grade 2 water serves the toilets and the outside taps for watering the yard and gardens. This water is collected from the pond and goes through a gravel bed filtration system. Although this water is fairly clean, it should only be used for non-potable purposes.
I love showering in the morning, knowing that the water has come directly from the skies, and does not need to be treated with harsh chemicals. The best part is that no sacrifices are being made to live this way. -Amy Greenfield, Resident
Abundance Wetlands
Water is stored in the ground in the area around the roots of plants. Prairie plants are especially good for this as up to 60% of the mass of the plant is below ground, and the roots of the plants go up to 16 feet below the surface, breaking up the soil and making tiny passages for water to percolate. Hundreds of thousands of gallons of water per acre can be stored in the ground this way. During dry times, this water will be available to trees and other deep-rooted plants. The Eco Village features several wetlands, and a pond suitable for swimming.