esired esigns ALFRESCO DINING DELIGHTS

Celebrate the joy of open-air feasting in our alfresco focus. Explore the latest in outdoor accessories and furniture, curated to elevate your culinary oasis with style and comfort.

Embrace sustainability without compromising on comfort with these Toulouse blue-striped hammocks, perfect for lounging and relaxing in style. Made from recycled plastic canvas, these fabric hammocks are machine washable and stain resistant. www.weavergreen.com

The Tower T978532 www.towerhousewares. co.uk

Kamado XL Ceramic Charcoal BBQ comes complete with collapsible wooden shelves. Experience the authentic summer BBQ taste as charcoal infuses flavour into your favorite alfresco dishes.

This wood-fired pizza oven by DeliVita will allow you to create authentic wood-fire-cooked pizza at home. It’s the must-have for any pizza enthusiast. Perfect for those who love outdoor living, this cool, very-black colourway looks great in a modern, stylish garden.

www.limelace.co.uk

Talking Tables’ easyto-clean, two-pack pink raffia placemats are both useful and eye catching. Measuring 26cm with an added 4cm fringe, these delightful placemats bring a touch of whimsy to your alfresco dining spaces. www.talkingtables.co.uk

The vibrant reversible paisley outdoor picnic rug from Talking Tables features a striking blend of red, pink and orange hues. This versatile rug adds a touch of bohemian charm to your alfresco gatherings, picnics and beach adventures.

www.talkingtables.co.uk

This bistro set provides instant colour to your garden and is perfect to enjoy a bite to eat. It’s also available in yellow, grey, cream and deep blue and is dispatched within one working day, so you can make the most of the weather.

www.funky-chunkyfurniture.co.uk

Whilst many of us have been spending the last few weeks enjoying all the summer sun has had to offer, it’s likely that amidst filling up the pool and the constant watering of the garden, much of our water usage has gone through the roof. When considering the nationwide price hike on water bills most of us have experienced over the last year, and with these figures projected to be increasing by a further 7.5% over the next 12 months, it’s unsurprising to see many people and businesses alike looking into alternatives for water needs. In particular, one such option to remediate these price hikes, which is rightly gaining popularity, is the installation of self-sufficient water supplies through the drilling of a water well.

Af ter all, why not? It’s fresh, clean, cost-effective, energy-efficient and not to mention remarkably more sustainable than traditional mains water. Surely, it seems too good to be true? Fortunately, it isn’t and the benefits a water well can provide for your household or business are certainly not to be overlooked. John Rodgman, Managing Director of the geotechnical drilling firm, Borehole Solutions, has shared his insight into how you go about constructing a water well and how – whether for personal or business use – it can save you a fortune on your bills, all whilst doing your bit for preserving the future of our planet as well.

B efore any form of well drilling, the first step should always be the preparation of a water borehole prognosis report by a specialist hydrogeologist. This is based on the data accumulated from a hydrological survey, which documents the source, route and flow of water sources both above and below the surface. The prognosis report looks to identify the precise location where drilling should commence, the quality of the water in this area, the maximum volume that can be carefully and considerately extracted, as well as the most optimal equipment and technique to extract it.

U pon the completion of this detailed analysis and reporting, drilling can then begin using specialist rigs to bore to the required depth. A stainless-steel or PVC casing then reinforces the borehole to minimise the risk of collapse. A test pump is then introduced to gather information about the performance of the water well being installed, with the water level within the abstraction borehole, pumping rate, transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity and storage capacity all monitored throughout. Assuming no issues arise, the most effective pump and abstraction pipe for the specific water well is installed, and it is almost ready to be used.

Will the water be safe to drink from the get go?

I n many cases, absolutely! In fact, where approximately half of the water straight from the mains contains a heavy presence of chemicals, such as chloride and fluoride, the water from your borehole will typically be of a considerably higher quality due to it being naturally filtered through layers of rock and soil.

R egardless, you certainly shouldn’t consume any water without having it checked for impurities beforehand. Water wells aren’t immune to pollutants due to the organic nature in which the water is filtered, with factors such as high levels of fertiliser use within the area having a small chance of contaminating the water. Home testing kits – available for between £15 and £30 – can provide a cost-effective insight into this; however, should you notice contamination to be a frequent issue, the installation of a water filtration system offers a simple fix.

T ypically, no, you don’t need to obtain a permit or planning permission to drill a water well on your own property, as you legally have the right to access any sources of water beneath your land. According to the Water Act of 2003, you can extract a maximum of 20,000 litres of water for free each day, but anything higher than this requires you to obtain an abstraction licence.

B y utilising your own personal supply of water, you’re able to escape the beck and call of private water suppliers. In fact, you won’t have to spend a single penny on the actual water itself. This means no more monthly bills and no worrying about sudden rate increases. The only costs involved with the installation of a water well are the actual installation process itself and the minimal costs of running the pump, meaning you’ll be saving a significant amount on your annual bills. It’s not just the immediate financial benefits of a water well, however. In the same way that investing in solar panels, double glazing or even a geothermal heat pump will add value to your home, as will the installation of a water well. www.boreholesolutions.co.uk