Topic: Cistern

Construction crews renovating the Smithsonian "Castle" on the National Mall discovered a 30-foot deep cistern dating back to 1847. While the discovery fueled speculation about secret tunnels under Washington D.C., officials stated the structure was simply for gathering rainwater. This leads to a discussion of various urban legends regarding underground military bases and high-speed trains.

The rationale for banning rainwater collection is explained as a need for utility companies to maintain predictable water runoff calculations. One host shares a personal frustration with a $600 bi-monthly water and sewage bill in Los Angeles, arguing that the system is designed to prevent citizens from lowering their costs through self-sufficiency.

Al Gore has announced a new book titled "Our Choice," to be published by Rodale in November 2009. The discussion shifts to the legality of rainwater collection, noting that it is illegal in Colorado and several other US states due to complex water rights laws. The hosts criticize these regulations as corrupt, contrasting them with practices in Bermuda where rainwater harvesting is essential and encouraged.

A listener provides a correction regarding the construction of houses in Bermuda. The white rooftops are made of "Bermuda stone," which is a porous coral-based limestone. The stone acts as a filter for rainwater, which is then collected in large underground cisterns, a primary source of fresh water on the islands.