A journal of modern day pioneers forging a new frontier in the city through intensive agriculture and extreme sustainability in urban homesteading.

Reviving the old-fashioned "can-do" spirit of self-reliance and resourcefulness, they have faced many challenges. With faith and determination, these once-ordinary city dwellers are boldly reclaiming their lives and land. continue

November 7, 2009

WATER RELIEF

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Posted by Anais

Two blessings in one month!

In October, not only did we get an unprecedented early rain storm (over 2 inches!) but we also got our water bill from the city and guess what?  We qualified for their water relief meaning we won’t have to be pushed into a bracket that would have us paying more for our water use.  Whoot!

So how did that happen?  We can’t take credit for the rain storm but in our last water bill at the beginning of summer the city projected that with the water rate increase our bill would be $600 for two if the hottest months (August & September)   Giant jumping grasshoppers!

$600 is like what we pay for water for the ENTIRE year (even with all the intensive growing that’s going on).  Yes, you read right the entire year.  Lucky for us they had a paper attached to the water bill to apply for water relief.  So we filled it out detailing our water conservation and usage efforts.

Last month we received our water bill and notification that we qualified for the water relief program.  Sweet!  Our bill was back to normal ~$150 for two of the hottest months of our year ’round growing season. 

July – September are when we usually use the most water, now with cooler weather our water bill starts to go down for the next 8 months. 

Thank you City of Pasadena who value not punish their residence who are using water to not water lawns but grow their own food.



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1 Comments: “WATER RELIEF”

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6,000 lbs on a 1/5 of an acre? I am only a beginner gardener, but that seems like an insane amount of food for that space. Good for you and I will continue to follow!

My question though… do you use methods of collecting rain water for use in your gardens?

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Jules DervaesJustin DervaesAnais DervaesJordanne Dervaes
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COMPLETE URBAN HOMESTEAD ARCHIVES:



LOCATION
Pasadena, CA
(Northwest Pasadena, one mile from downtown Pasadena 100 yards from 11 lane freeway)

PROPERTY SIZE
1/5 acre (66' x 132' / 8,712 sq.ft.)

GARDEN SIZE
~ 1/10 acre (3,900 sq.ft. / ~ 66' x 66')

GARDEN DIVERSITY
~ 400 different vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries

FOOD PRODUCTION
~ 6,000 lbs annually / 99% of our produce $75,000 savings

URBAN HOMESTEAD SUPPORTS
4 full-time resident adults, a menagerie of animals, volunteers, and many clients

ENERGY USAGE
$12 a month / 6.0 kwh day

WATER USAGE
$600 / 175,000 gallons a year

SOLAR POWER PRODUCED
12,410 kwh as of 5/12/10

GALLONS OF BIODIESEL MADE
2,500 gallons as of 5/12/08

FACTS N FIGURES
Learn more about the Urban Homestead
Full Stats Summary