Got my water/utility bill for the spring/summer yesterday. (we get billed 3 times a year as part of our general city utilities bill including water, sewer and garbage/recycling fees).

Figured it would be a big water year this year so I've been wanting to see this. And of course, I have data going back to 2019ish.

Today's bill only goes to August 1st, so it doesn't include when we started to fill the #pondpool!

This was already a dry year in the spring and we were doing lots of watering in the front yard for the new ground cover in the modified driveway and the 3 new fruit trees.

Verdict:
2024: Apr 12 - Aug 7: 122, 200L

2025 Apr 14 - Aug 1 (7 less days!): 136,600L

It will be interesting to see if the August pond filling will add a big chunk onto our summer/fall consumption or if that is offset by both the brief August water restrictions, and the departure of both kids this fall to consume other people's water. ;=)

If you want an indication of how much water people use vs. yards: look at our August 2022 bill, which captures when we were on our cross-Canada roadtrip for 30 days in July/August of the 100 day period.
#water #consumption #gardening #utility #PortAlberni

Done for the day! Got so much done thanks to the much more mild temperatures (22°C with a breeze!)

Pebble and drain rock are complete in the Bay. Brought the pebble to just below the middle holes around the bin. (There is another row of them a few inches below)

The drain rock up to the larger holes so that larger debris can be drawn into the bin.

I was really hoping to get my big shipment of various sizes of rock/pebble this week but the rock place was too busy for little me. They promised Monday!

All the rock has to be clean to act as a good organic filter (dirt on rock means no space for good water cleaning bacteria to attach!) so I am washing as I go.

I try to wash most of it in the hole itself since then I can direct where it gets pumped out. Today the blueberry 🫐 and flower 🌹 garden was the benificiary. Tomorrow maybe the hazelnut tree 🌳

Still very happy with the progress though. Feel like I'm getting into the meat of the project now!
#pondpool #backyardpond #diy #portalberni

Cutting of black pipe complete. Now to fill in the Bay with pebble and drainrock. #pondpool #backyardpond #diy #portalberni

By jove.... by complete coincidence I think the hose will be exactly the right length.

Hole is now made in the yellow milk crate for the pipe to attach directly to the inlet and reach down to the bottom of the pond. The rest of the pipe will attach to the outlet on top running up and out.

#pondpool #backyardpond #diy #portalberni

Milestone!
First cut to length of the quite not cheap 2" supply hose. 😱

These are the scariest moment of this project by far. 😂

I won't be cutting the standing pipe down to size until the wetland filter is full of rock.

Next: The pipe run from the milk crate in the main pond.

#pondpool #backyardpond #diy #portalberni

swiss cheesing complete #pondpool #backyardpond #diy #portalberni

#pondpool #backyardpond #diy #portalberni

Currently turning a very useful and formerly solid box into swiss cheese 🧀 to enable entry of one, and eventually up to two, 2" outlet pipes from the pump(s). This box is both a home for the pump and will act as a prefilter and skimmer. Need maximum inflow from the intake bay of the pond without totally compromising the strength of the box.

I am going to make seven big holes around the top/front and side and then perforate the box with smaller 1/4" holes around the bottom to promote circulation from all parts of the bay.

I will back fill around the box with pebble and 1" drain rock before concealing it with large rocks and flat slate.

Went for a walk around the snowy and slightly frozen yard. Ice is fun.

#pondpool #pandemicpond #portalberni #home #diy

I unraveled the other bundle of liner in the wrong direction which led to a more huffing and puffing, but, the deed is done!

I shall now continue battling with the rain gods to keep it reasonably empty of water, except to see where overflow points are.

Next: Get a big load of large rock (12-18" stones) to line the inside wall of the pool/pond and start filling the filters of the other two. Also time to think about plumbing design!

Oh! And Mr Arbutus is very happy! #pondpool #backyardProject

Big one is done! Now for the bog filter after I pump the water out and get rid of all of the chestnut tree leaves #pondpool #backyardProject