EPIC green and lush lawn acts as cliff erosion control in Malibu.
The clients of this Malibu estate were able grow their green lawn organically while also helping prevent cliff erosion control. Malibu County has regulations to limit the size of turf. These regulations were met and surpassed by using the Environmental Passive Integrated Conveyance (EPIC) system. Multiple areas of the property use EPIC for a variety of turf grass. Most importantly, the EPIC water barrier liner protects the cliff erosion by controlling the water runoff. A lined sub-drain underneath the EPIC lawn protects the cliff from any unwanted seepage. Furthermore, the EPIC system increases drainage capacity, improves filtration while also providing irrigation.
Lawn size tripled by using the passive irrigation EPIC system.
The project was designed by EPD Consultants of Carson, CA, and installed by Armfield Design & Construction of Malibu, CA, under the supervision of Wonderland, Inc. of Mount Shasta, CA. Rainfall is captured and reused in the EPIC green lawn area. Therefore, storm runoff from the driveway and roof areas drains through the EPIC sand filter profile. An existing tree is fed within the lined area because of capillary physics. Any excess water is channeled through a sealed pipe to the ocean, hence avoiding contribution to runoff erosion of the adjoining cliff. Most noteworthy, the EPIC system is a different way to irrigate. Because passive irrigation is not pressurized and contained, half the water grows twice the plants! As a result, the plants are able to decide when to drink and when to breathe at their own discretion. Consequently the EPIC chamber provides a reliable conveyance within an ideal growing media.
Gallery of pictures to show the cliff erosion control installation process:
Leveling of the 1st EPIC cell base above the gravel sub-drain.
Laser transit checks the level of the 1st EPIC cell base.
EPDM water barrier liner and EPIC chambers of 1st EPIC cell.
Sand bags hold EPIC chambers in position during installation.
1st and 2nd EPIC cells with gravel layer over EPDM liner.
Close up of the 2″ gravel layer and EPIC chamber.
Importing the sand and compacting sand to finish grade above the gravel layer.
Sand buries EPIC chambers to finish grade.
Sand bags are removed as sand is imported.
1st and 2nd EPIC cells sand is compacted to finish grade.
Approved washed masonry sand delivery and stockpile.
Placement of the 3rd EPIC cell liner and chambers.
Checking level of connector pipe.
cross sectional view of 2″ gravel layer, EPIC chamber and sand to finish grade.
Sod samples to match estate color scheme and check for any client allergic reactions.
Cliff erosion control overflow pipe safely drains filtered water to the ocean from the property.
Carl and Daniel inspect the construction on their estate.
Screeting level the 5th EPIC cell base.
The 5th EPIC cell negotiates around an existing tree root zone.
EPIC chambers around existing tree root zone.
1st to 4th EPIC cells compacted to finish grade.
David clears tall grass for containment soil berm to be imported to hold sand profile in place.
David trimming cliff hedges.
Initial charge of the EPIC system with a garden hose in the 1st cell.
Pressurized pipe from recirculation pump to inlets.
Malibu estate view at cliff edge.
Established turf May 25th, 2011.
Malibu cliff erosion control with organic turf EPIC system.
 Cliff Erosion Control at Malibu Estate EPIC green and lush lawn acts as cliff erosion control in Malibu. The clients of this Malibu estate were able grow their green lawn organically while also helping prevent cliff erosion control.Â
