OAEC’s Conservation Hydrology Demonstration Site

1994 – Present

For nearly 40 years, OAEC’s 80-acre site of organic gardens, orchards, meadows, and forests has served as an ideal outdoor classroom to teach and model Conservation Hydrology and watershed health. Since 2004, OAEC’s WATER Institute has implemented an on-site Conservation Hydrology Adaptive Management Plan that demonstrates renewable energy technologies and best management and conservation practices for water, and for the energy associated with its use.

These practical solutions include greywater systems, micro-hydro generated electricity, roof water catchment systems, a rainwater harvesting off-stream pond that supplies 100% of our agricultural irrigation needs, a solar thermal hot water system, bio-filtration to improve water quality, and a 10-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system. Installing and studying the efficacy of these techniques over time allows us to improve our designs and speak from experience when educating communities about how to best adapt these practices to their regions.

What is “Conservation Hydrology”?

Publications

Low Cost Roofwater System For Agricultural Supply

An 11-page WATER Institute how-to on this simple agricultural roofwater catchment design. The following is the text and photos from a booklet written by the WATER Institute in 2011. Feel free to download this booklet and share the information widely.

Free Download >

Roof Water Harvesting for a Low Impact Water Supply

A 27-page WATER Institute how-to on simple residential roofwater harvesting systems at OAEC. The following is the text and photos from a booklet written by the WATER Institute in 2008. Feel free to download this booklet and share the information widely.

Free Download >

Integrated Stormwater Retention System

A 20-page WATER Institute report on rural stormwater management (2012).

Free Download >

Legal Graywater Design for Small Scale Applications in California

An 11-page WATER Institute how-to on two legal graywater designs for residential applications. The following is the text and photos from a report written by the WATER Institute in 2010. Feel free to download this booklet and share the information widely.

Free Download >

Garden Koi Pond With Bio-Filtration System

The following is the text and photos from a booklet written by the WATER Institute in 2007 and updated in 2011. Feel free to download this booklet and share the information widely.

Free Download >

Heating Water With The Sun

A 10-page WATER Institute how-to on solar hot water heating. The following is the text and photos from a booklet written by the WATER Institute in 2009. Feel free to download this booklet and share the information widely.

Free Download >