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Memory-jogger for garden watering times

Keen gardeners now have a five-word memory jogger to remind them of watering hours, as part of Westernport Water’s summer water-saver campaign.

By Susan Webster - 5th January 2009 - Back to News

The handy phrase explains what hours you are allowed to water your garden beds and lawn:

Sprinkler = night time

Trigger = anytime

Managing director Murray Jackson explained: "It’s a shorthand version that means manual watering systems can only be used between 7pm and 10am, and automatic watering systems can only be used between 10pm and 10am.

"It also means that handheld hoses fitted with a trigger nozzle may be used to wash cars and water garden and lawns at any time," he added.

"We wanted something simple for people to memorise. This little phrase is only five words. Say it over a few times and you’ll remember it."

He said Candowie reservoir is at around 72% per cent of capacity, and all the future modelling undertaken by Westernport Water indicates there is more than enough water to last a long, hot summer.

"Even with the peak tourist season, even with high-demand times such as the Pyramid Rock festival and even with additional houses and unit developments in the region, all our calculations indicate we have enough supply," Mr Jackson said.

"But we are conscious that water is precious and we want our customers to share that understanding."

He noted some additional rules that apply under permanent water savings. These are:

- No hosing of paved areas, except in specified circumstances;

- Before filling new pools/spas with a capacity of 2000 litres or more, a water conservation plan must be lodged with, and approved by, Westernport Water;

- Non-residential customers who use more than 10ML/year of drinking water must develop a water management action plan (called a waterMAP).

Mr Jackson added: "But the most effective message, and the easiest to remember is these five words:

"Sprinkler = night time

"Trigger = anytime."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: susanw@ptarmigan.com.au

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