| Domestic
consumption of water only accounts for 21% of the overall
demand with less than 1% of the total being used in domestic
gardens for watering plants, washing cars etc. Professionally
installed irrigation systems are highly water efficient, they
apply exactly the right amount of water, where and when it
is required – no more, no less. The water is applied
overnight to minimise evaporation and when installed in conjunction
with good horticultural practices such as mulching, provides
the most efficient means of watering plants.
Rainwater is an endless, renewable and inexpensive resource
unlike fossil fuel supplies that are finite and need to be
managed prudently. During 2006, Thames Water introduced its first hosepipe ban
for over a decade. Fortunately, this hosepipe ban has now been lifted and you can now use your |
irrigation
system with impunity. However, this does not mean the water
supply issues have gone away and there won't be another hosepipe ban. The demand for water still exists
for houses, swimming pools, pressure washers, irrigation systems
etc and with the increasing housing density, this pressure
will surely increase with time. Therefore, until the water
companies are in a position to resolve their problems with
the aged water supply infrastructure, it will be necessary
for everyone to use water as efficiently as possible. We look at each garden on merit, we consider
the alternative water supply options and advise on the the
most efficient method for applying the water to the garden.
Also, where appropriate, we can provide sound advice on good
horticultural husbandry including plant selection and soil
conditioning in order to minimise the amount of water that
needs to be applied to a garden. |
