Inspiration: Water Conservation Strategies From The RHS
No matter the kind of business you run, water conservation will only become increasingly important as time goes on.
It will be necessary for the vast majority of organisations to carry out some kind of risk assessment to determine how they’ll be affected by water shortages in the future to become more resilient and help support the natural environment.
As the combined pressures of climate change, extreme weather events like flooding and drought, urbanisation, water mismanagement, pollution and population growth all converge to put increasing amounts of pressure on global water resources, it will become more and more important to identify different water-saving solutions.
The good news is that there is a lot that can be achieved in this regard and the key is finding those solutions that would help your business make the biggest and most significant impacts as quickly as possible.
Not sure where to begin?
Looking to see what other organisations are doing to reduce their water footprint can prove particularly inspirational – and what better place to start than with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), which has just revealed its own emergency plans to protect its gardens from water shortages in the future.
These plans include:
Soil with hollow tining
This is a particularly effective method of soil aeration and water management, mechanically removing plugs of soil and thatch, between four and two inches deep into the ground.
Open channels are created in this way to reduce soil compaction and support good drainage, as well as reducing surface water runoff and waterlogging. Deeper root development is also promoted to help make the ground more resilient to drought.
Rainwater garden installation
Introducing a rain garden somewhere on site can help manage rainwater runoff successfully, a particularly good option for properties with lots of hard landscaping where permeable surfaces are relatively limited.
Early spring or early autumn is the ideal time to build this kind of feature, as the soil will be dry enough to work with.
All you need to do is dig out a shallow dip or area of ground somewhere that ensures rainwater runoff from roofs and hard surfaces can be collected. Plants are then brought in that are able to withstand heavy waterlogging.
Rainwater harvesting
This kind of strategy is perfect for reducing reliance on mains water supplies. Systems can be installed that collect the rainwater that falls on the roofs and other hard surfaces of your site so it can be used elsewhere.
Typical applications for this water source include toilet flushing, vehicle washing and laundry and process water. Business benefits include reduced water bills, reduced water consumption and improved brand reputation.
Such systems can also be tailored to your budget, taking into account size and specification to ensure maximum efficiency.
Ebb and flow benches
The RHS plans to install ebb and flow benches in its retail centres to help reduce water usage. Also known as flood and drain tables, these are automated greenhouse systems that submerge plant roots in nutrient solutions periodically before draining back into a reservoir.
This practice helps to distribute water evenly, reducing disease, preventing waterloggings and reducing labour costs.
Greywater recycling
Another strategy being considered is greywater recycling, where water is captured from sinks, showers and washing machines for reuse elsewhere.
This water can be treated via a filtration method of some kind to then be used for the likes of cooling systems, outdoor cleaning, toilet flushing and irrigation.
It is a particularly good option for any business that has significant water consumption, including leisure centres, laundromats, hotels and hospitality sites.
How else can businesses save water?
Of course, this rundown of RHS strategies isn’t the only way in which companies can successfully prioritise water conservation and there are many other ways in which this can be achieved.
One of the best ways to begin improving your water stewardship is to have a water audit of your site carried out, where usage is compared against what you’re being charged with to help identify inefficiencies and the best ways in which you can save water – and money.
Once you have a better idea of what you’re using and where you’re using it, you can work out how best to make changes over time.
Another option is to consider switching water supplier, as this can help you identify the most effective water-saving solutions for your company, as well as allowing you to take advantage of better rates and better customer service with another retailer.
If you’d like to find out more, give the SWS team a call today!