We are helping customers with some simple steps that can be taken in the garden to save water and money.
With parts of the UK seeing temperatures soar it’s good to know how to manage water in your garden and how small changes can make a big difference to water use.
The garden is the perfect place to cut down usage, helping to save water and reduce bills for customers on a water meter.
Plant wisely
Think about your planting scheme and introduce hardy varieties which can thrive in dryer environments. This will mean you can rest and enjoy the blooms rather than running around with a watering can all summer.
Invest in a water butt
Water butts are easy to fit and give you a free and handy way to capture water when it does rain.
Don’t worry about your lawn
It will bounce back! If it needs mowing, set your lawnmower to cut higher and leave clippings where they fall to act as mulch.
Reuse water from the home
If you haven't got a water butt full of rainwater, try saving washing up water (as long as it doesn't contain bleach) or bathwater by putting it into buckets and then using it to water your garden.
Use a watering can
Using your watering can might take a little more time but will ensure you’re only using what your garden really needs.
Layer up
Adding a layer of mulch on top of soil helps to trap water. Depending on the type you use, it can also add nutrients to soil and stops weeds from growing. The best time to add mulch is in the spring. Just weed your flowerbed or container and add a layer of mulch around the plants.
Protect plants from the sun
Applying a layer of organic matter (compost, mulch, farmyard manure or bark) will improve water infiltration which will improve living conditions for your plants.
Soak up excess water
When you’re watering your pots, put an absorbent mat or saucer under them, so they catch the water as it flows through, and therefore really maximises the water it’s getting. The roots will soak up the water left at the bottom!
Drip trays
Placing trays beneath pots to collect drainage avoids waste from overwatering.
Thomas Harrison, Senior Demand Strategy Manager at Bristol Water said:
“Gardening can be an important activity for many people and although it can use lots of water, there are plenty of small steps you can take to reduce water consumption.”
Karen Gibbs, Senior Leader for the Environment at the Consumer Council for Water, said:
“Using water wisely in the garden allows your plants to thrive, helps protects the environment and can cut your bills.
“As temperatures rise, simple steps like keeping a jug by the sink to reuse water, choosing drought-resistant plants and watering at cooler times can all make a big difference with little effort.”
Bristol Water is playing its part in making sure the region’s water resources are as healthy as possible heading towards the summer with 25-year plan of investment to secure sufficient and safe supply of water long into the future.
VIew more information on how you can save water in the garden and in the home, and to see what free water-saving devices you could get.
