Does it make any sense to pay for expensive mains water when you can get it free from the skies?
becoming self sufficient I have come across well meaning committee members who have, in the past, “done a bit of research into this area” but not really looked in the right places, coming up with astronomical finance figures which were then thrown out as pie in the sky. This need not be the case - it costs nothing to look at the possibilities and, invariably, a solution within an affordable budget is found.
Environmental good sense
Why use water treated for human consumption for irrigation? It does not make economic or environmental sense. Mains water and the way it is treated, dependent on which area of the country you are in, is not ideal for irrigation purposes, as many grounds managers will testify.
If you collect rainwater when it falls, it
reduces run off and so lessens the chance of flooding.
You become more self-sufficient and
rely much less on mains water, thereby relieving the demand on water supplies to household properties. Applying irrigation water (sensibly)
keeps plants alive and, therefore, improves the flora and fauna of a given site. This is now well known within our industry, but not so well known outside it.
The public’s perception (which also includes our customers - the committees and players) is that we are not ‘ecofriendly’ with water.
What an opportunity! Instead of being castigated in the press for working against nature, we can stand up and be counted as knowledgeable and passionate custodians. We are already excellent custodians of
nature, but not in the public’s mind. Perception is everything and this is a fantastic opportunity to start the ball rolling. We can then carry on the crusade
Harrogate Case Study
FOR many years the Harrogate Central Nursery had relied on the mains water supply from Yorkshire Water, with the resultant high cost to the Borough Council. Rising costs and pressure to reduce mains water consumption led the Parks Department to consider alternatives. The main reasons being:
• water cost saving • efficient water usage • environmental considerations
• more efficient abstraction from present source (bore hole)
• source other forms of water e.g harvesting rainwater
• poor water distribution and pressures for efficient irrigation
• mains water not ideal for irrigation purposes
The project was carried out during summer 2008 and involved: • the up-grade of a borehole supply • water protection using filters including UV
• the introduction of intelligent, electrically efficient, pumps (Hydrovars©
)
• the installation of new pipework and controls to increase efficiency and pressures
• harvesting rain water from available roof spaces
The project was completed in September 2008 and resulted in a cost saving of £4000. In addition, water usage was measured accurately and recorded and, by using harvested rainwater, usage rates from the mains supply was reduced. Decreased run off also reduced the risk of flooding.
An ISO 9002 inspection in November 2008
reported that they were “extremely pleased with what has been achieved since the project inception, installation and efficiency resulting in increased water quality for irrigation”. So, smiley faces all round!
Harrogate Borough Council are looking at further opportunities. Currently, only part of the available roof space at the Central Nursery is being used for harvesting rainwater. By further utilising all the roof space, with storage capacities to suit, they believe they can
ensure that no mains water, and little back up supply from the bore hole, will be required. This will then be used for washing vehicles, flushing toilets etc. They are also looking into possibilities at other establishments such as schools and hospitals.
Unit 2, The Old Laundry, Fishergreen, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1NL
Tel: 01765 601155 Fax: 05601 507938
Email:
enquiries@enviroproh2o.com Website:
www.enviroproh2o.com
25
by offering articles in the press of not only water projects but also the sustainability of sports grounds and golf courses, and how the use of chemicals and fertilisers is minimal or, in some cases, non-existent. The list of possiblilies is endless.
A particularly good point to make, and
I make no excuses for making it again, is that applying irrigation water (sensibly) keeps plants alive and, therefore, improves the flora and fauna of a given site, and this could be backed up with hard facts within specific case studies. We have just got to review how we
source water for irrigation before our industry experiences a major problem - that of paying vast amounts of money to water authorities just to be able to successfully maintain acceptable standards. We have been warned!
Duncan McGilvray, Managing Director Enviropro H2O Ltd.
www.enviroproh2o.com
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