Water System Design

Rainwater harvesting and water storage

Across multiple projects, water systems have been designed and realised to capture, slow, spread and store rainwater. In Spain, this often involves creating wadis, swales, bunds, check dams and targeted soil improvement, ensuring intense downpours cause less erosion and more water infiltrates into the soil. In one project, a centuries-old water rights and distribution system was restored simultaneously. In other locations, the focus is often on Diverting rainwater from the sewer to the soil, reducing paving, and creating wadis, ponds and infiltration zones.

The result is a well-considered water system that improves water management and forms the foundation for a climate-resilient, lush ecosystem. See this Erosion and Water Management Plan for an example of the methodology in practice (published on Zenodo).

See the Project Portfolio for more examples of ecological land restoration and landscape design.

Capture, slow, spread

The key to water-sensitive design is to capture, slow, spread and store rainwater, with the aim of restoring the local water cycle. This is achieved through carefully positioned wadis, swales, ponds and other structures for rainwater harvesting, water storage and infiltration.

A range of techniques helps create plant guilds, microclimates, cooling water features and sheltered spaces, linked by inviting paths. The result is a living system—a network of relationships—in which plants, soil, microbes, insects, birds and other wildlife are connected through water.