Water Saving Tips

Hamiltonians thirst for water increases dramatically over the summer months. This increase in use goes into our gardens, lawns and keeping cool. Regardless of whether we are in a drought or not, this huge increase in demand puts a lot of pressure on our infrastructure and resources. So this summer be wise with water.

Why is the grass greener on the other side?

I don’t know about you, but I’d prefer to grow lush tomatoes in the summer than grass! So forget watering the lawn and focus on the garden.

Apply a 10cm layer of mulch to your veggie garden to reduce evaporation by up to 70 percent, improve water absorption and reduce weed growth.

MULCH CAN REDUCE WATER EVAPORATION BY up to 70%

Weed them out!

Weeds compete with other plants for water and usually come out on top, so weed them out.

Get Trigger Happy Using a trigger gun on your hose instead of a sprinkler means the water goes where you intend it to and there is no chance of you forgetting the hose is on.

Avoid evaporation by watering in the early morning or evening. Water the base of the plants not the leaves and even at the height of summer avoid watering every day as this promotes weak and superficial root systems that are prone to drying out.

Lawn Care

Allow your grass to grow a little bit longer in summer. Taller grass holds water better and will stay greener for longer.

Check out other lawn tips by Karl Johnson, Turf Manager (FMG Stadium and Seddon Park) at smartwater.org.nz/lawns

Aerate your lawn to improve water absorption: just stab your garden fork into the lawn at intervals—it’s very therapeutic!

Wash your car on the lawn to avoid dirt and chemicals running into the stormwater drain which goes straight to the river. Your lawn will get a water at the same time. This works for washing the dog too.

Brown grass is dormant, not dead, and it will recover naturally after enough rain.

A PROPERLY FITTED POOL COVER CAN STOP UP TO 97% OF EVAPORATION

Cover Up A properly fitted pool cover can stop up to 97 per cent of evaporation and reduce the amount of chemicals required to treat the water. Your water will stay warmer for longer and you won't get so many insects falling in.

Before getting into the pool, rinse your dirty feet in a small tub.

Don't Be a Drip FIX AND REPORT LEAKS A dripping tap that fills an egg cup in a minute could fill a swimming pool in a year, so imagine how much water a leaking pipe can lose. Just as fixing a drip around your house can be fairly simple (a quick call to your local plumber), so too can fixing a leaking pipe in your street. Simply contact Hamilton City Council or the council where you live. You can report a leak on the Hamilton City Council website as well as see reported leaks statuses at hamilton.govt.nz/waterleaks