Book Review: Water Storage: Tanks, Cisterns, Aquifers, and Ponds
by Art Ludwig, reviewed by Mary Zellachild

“This do-it-yourself guide is an invaluable resource for designing, building, and maintaining water tanks, cisterns, and ponds, and sustainably managing groundwater storage. It will assist you with handling your independent water system, fire protection setup, and disaster preparedness plan, while keeping costs low and incorporating ecologically sound designs. It also includes building instructions for several styles of ferro-cement water tanks.” (Amazon)

Water Storage: Tanks,Cisterns, Aquifers, and Ponds is crammed full of photos, drawings, charts and text that should answer the questions of almost anyone wanting information about creating, maintaining, and/or protecting water storage— from small containers up to complex systems. The author addresses a huge diversity of topics on the subject, including storing water in soil, aquifers,and ponds, improving the quality of stored water, and materials to avoid when creating water storage, while suggesting a surprising number of materials that can be used. He devotes a 24-page appendix to the details of building a ferro-cement water storage tank. Ludwig states that it isn't necessary to read the whole book (unless you really want to); a person can simply find the information that covers what he/she is currently working on.

The author, Art Ludwig, has been designing ecological systems since 1982 and focusing on water and wastewater systems since 1989. He believes in living as simply and ecologically as possible, following nature's example. This book illustrates the depth of knowledge he has accumulated through this experience, and the way that he shapes his designs to correspond to his beliefs. Ludwig’s website, Oasis Design is an outstanding resource. The water storage page has a wealth of appendices, photos, and detailed designs for a variety of water storage options, as well as a link to purchase the book (we always recommend buying from the author if possible!)

♥

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