Water that runs the wrong way can undermine a build, flood a system or wash out a garden, so learn how your land drains before you decide where to build.
Start by watching the land
The book's site-visit advice includes a simple rule: pay attention to drainage patterns, because water should flow away from your building site. Walk the land after heavy rain if you can, and note where water runs, where it pools and where the ground stays wet. Dry-season visits hide all of this.
Clues on the ground
- Willows and alders, according to the book, almost always mean a high water table or seasonal wetness.
- Good agricultural soil drains well; compacted, clay-heavy or sandy soils behave very differently.
- Flood plain maps are part of the book's due diligence checklist, so look at them for the area.
Place your systems deliberately
The book warns against building the house first and working out the systems later. Decide on paper where the solar panels, battery bank, water tank, compost toilet, garden and livestock area will go. Then check each against the drainage pattern: tanks and batteries should not sit where water collects, and waste systems should not drain towards your water source.
General principles for managing water
- Shape the ground so surface water falls away from buildings, not towards them.
- Keep gutters and downspouts discharging well clear of walls.
- Avoid blocking natural runoff paths, because water will find another route, often through your property.
- Protect access tracks and paths from water crossing them.
- Revisit the plan after each season's heavy rain and fix problems early.
Know when to bring in help
The books say little about engineered drainage, and the right answer depends on your soil and climate. For anything that affects foundations or large volumes of water, take advice from a qualified local professional, and read protecting an off-grid home's foundation.
The Choosing Your First Off-Grid Home guide shows how site and systems fit together. For the DIY approach to the whole property, see The Off-Grid Survival Manual.