GW partners with retailers to help gardeners save water

Greater Wellington has teamed up with the local Nursery and Garden Industry Association retailers to make it easier for gardeners to conserve water this summer.

The partnership is part of Greater Wellington’s summer “Be water smart” campaign, which kicks off this weekend. Association retailers in the Wellington, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt and Porirua cities will be offering cut-priced deals on water-smart watering equipment.

“We know that outdoor jobs – particularly garden watering – are behind surging summer water use. In fact, an unattended hose or sprinkler can spray away 1,000 litres of water an hour. But by taking advantage of some great deals on offer, it’ll be much easier for people to use less water and make a difference,” says Cr Nigel Wilson, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Cultural and Social Wellbeing Committee (this committee’s responsibilities include water supply).

January is typically the month when water use increases sharply as people return from their summer holidays to drier weather. Although the flows in the rivers that our water supply depends upon are looking okay right now, the region’s very dry spring coupled with the long-range climate outlook suggest that a tough summer for water supply is still likely.

Greater Wellington recommends that gardeners follow these simple tips to take care of their plants and help save water:

• Mulch your garden (this keeps moisture locked in)
• Test the soil’s moisture needs before any watering
• Target watering direct to the roots of plants at a rate the soil can absorb
• Time any sprinkler or irrigation watering to 30 minutes max.

Greater Wellington’s water conservation campaign is supported by the Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua and Wellington city councils. Each city currently has restrictions in place for watering other than by hand. Restriction details are published in local newspapers and residents can contact their city council to find out more.

For “Be water smart” watering equipment retailer offers and more water conservation tips, see www.bethedifference.gw.govt.nz