Article

The Walden School in Pasadena Cal­i­for­nia is ready to har­vest rain­wa­ter for veg­etable beds using a newly installed rain­wa­ter har­vest­ing sys­tem. For the tank, Walden School par­ents, staff and stu­dents chose a steel culvert-style cis­tern.

What is a culvert-style cistern?

A cul­vert cis­tern is a method of cre­at­ing a tank by insert­ing (stand­ing on end) a gal­va­nized steel, cor­ru­gated pipe into a pre-plumbed cement pad (see attached pho­tos). The gal­va­nized pipe is then retro­fit­ted with fit­tings, a lid and food grade liner to insure its water-tightness. This method is widely prac­ticed in Tuc­son, Texas, and New Mex­ico. Instal­la­tion of these cis­terns is often a com­mu­nity event in Ari­zona and New Mex­ico. Cur­ricu­lum devel­op­ment is at the top of the list of the ben­e­fits the fac­ulty hopes the cis­tern will pro­vide. This excit­ing water con­ser­va­tion project is a pow­er­ful teach­ing tool to bring the class­room out­side and help stu­dents gain skills in water con­ser­va­tion, math, physics, sci­ence, and Green Gar­den­ing (explor­ing the sys­tem ‘Root to Roof’). Once rain is col­lected in the cis­tern, Hey! Tanks LA will be back to test the water for instal­la­tion of an appro­pri­ate treat­ment sys­tem. Raised veg­etable beds will be installed, along with sig­nage chal­leng­ing the stu­dents to make cal­cu­la­tions affil­i­ated with the water har­vest­ing system.

unload­ing culvert

If you would also like to have a “cul­vert cis­tern” installed at your home or busi­ness, or orga­nize an instal­la­tion as a com­mu­nity event, email us: heytanksla.com, or call (877) 648‑2657.