Water Supplies

Domestic consumption of water only accounts for 21% of the overall demand with less than 1% of the total being used in domestic gardens for watering plants, washing cars etc. Professionally installed irrigation systems are highly water efficient, they apply exactly the right amount of water, where and when it is required – no more, no less. The water is applied overnight to minimise evaporation and when installed in conjunction with good horticultural practices such as mulching, provides the most efficient means of watering plants.

Rainwater is an endless, renewable and inexpensive resource unlike fossil fuel supplies that are finite and need to be managed prudently. During 2006, Thames Water introduced its first hosepipe ban for over a decade. Fortunately, this hosepipe ban has now been lifted and you can now use your irrigation system with impunity.

However, this does not mean the water supply issues have gone away and there won't be another hosepipe ban. The demand for water still exists for houses, swimming pools, pressure washers, irrigation systems etc together with the increasing housing density, this pressure will surely increase with time. Therefore, until the water companies are in a position to resolve their problems with the aged water supply infrastructure, it will be necessary for everyone to use water as efficiently as possible. We look at each garden on merit, we consider the alternative water supply options and advise on the the most efficient method for applying the water to the garden. Also, where appropriate, we can provide sound advice on good horticultural husbandry including plant selection and soil conditioning in order to minimise the amount of water that needs to be applied to a garden.

blank header

It is hard to imagine that in a country that is famous for rain, we so often hear of hosepipe bans and drought orders. Why does this occur? Generally speaking it is not a lack of rain that causes hosepipe bans, it is how effectively water is managed, how efficient the supply infrastructure is that dictates how much water is available during the summer months.

From your point of view, water is needed to ensure your plants grow, to secure your investment in your garden, to create a desirable outdoor space and to add value to your property. With that in mind, what are the options available to you if you cannot rely on your water company to provide an adequate supply when you need it?

At Waterwell, we have a wealth of experience of installing all types of systems and will always provide you with the best advice and a solution to suit your budget.

Rainwater Harvesting
A rainwater recycling system can be installed to collect rain from your rooftop, before filtering and storing it for future use... Tell me more >

Rainwater Harvesting
A rainwater recycling system can be installed to collect rain from your rooftop, before filtering and storing it for future use... Water storage capacity is the issue here, the more you can collect and store, the more you will have available when your plants need it. Water storage tanks can be above ground or buried and can hold up to 10,000 litres (more if they are linked). A rainwater harvesting system coupled with a mains water top-up will maximise the “free” rainwater whilst ensuring a backup supply is available to ensure your garden receives the water it needs.

Greywater Recycling
It is possible to use water from baths... Tell me more >

Greywater Recycling
It is possible to use water from baths, showers & basins to irrigate your garden but, after wide consultation particularly with companies in Australia, we have concluded that on a domestic level, grey water recycling is not advisable.

For more information on greywater recycling:
www.Waterlines.com
www.Cat.org.uk

Boreholes
If access to your garden is not an issue then Waterwell, with the assistance of our sister company Urban Boreholes, can... Tell me more >

Boreholes
If access to your garden is not an issue then Waterwell, with the assistance of our sister company Urban Boreholes, can drill a borehole to create your own fresh water supply for your garden, swimming pool and even to drink (provided exacting requirements are met). The regulations relating to private boreholes have recently been relaxed and now allow you to extract up to 20,000 litres per day without requiring a license from DEFRA (far more than you would ever be likely to use).

Click here for press article

The drilling process is uncomplicated and takes around 1-2 weeks, leaving you with a safe, capped water supply protected by a man-hole cover. We cannot promote its use to our customers because we are not comfortable with the idea that the minute particles (including bacteria) that are washed from human bodies (even with the use of filtration) are then stored in warm conditions before being applied to a garden where adults and children socialise. That said, greywater watering systems do have some merit on a larger scale e.g. office & apartment blocks, where the investment in a sophisticated water treatment plant can make the process cost effective.
image tip