2023-08-15 22:00:00
Saving water is the need of the hour. Technical solutions can also be used to reduce consumption in the garden.
Keeping an eye on your own water consumption makes sense not only for cost reasons, but also from an ecological point of view. Especially now, in the hot summer months or in dry phases, the coveted good is becoming even scarcer and the questions of where from and where to go become more pressing.
Water balance in Austria: Consumption and savings in focus
In Austria, the average drinking water consumption is regarding 130 liters per day and capita. Trade, industry and bulk consumers are not included. Nine percent of the average water consumption is required to water the plants in the garden. But where is the most water used, where is it saved?
Potential for water savings in the home and garden
A particularly large amount of water is used for personal hygiene and care as well as for household chores. Although comparatively little water is used for watering plants, significant savings can still be made here without having to forego a blooming balcony or garden in hot periods. Because these green places are not only a place for gardeners to relax, but also have other advantages. They provide their environment with fresh air and filter dirt particles and fine dust. Trees, shrubs and green spaces also regulate and improve the local climate. Last but not least, a variety of planted areas support biological diversity and the protection of birds, mammals and insects.
Rainwater as an economical and environmentally friendly option
Drinking water from the tap is the most convenient, but also the most expensive solution for garden irrigation. By summer at the latest, when the drought puts plants and soil under stress and water is sometimes scarce, the question of alternatives to water from the tap for the garden or balcony arises. Rainwater has proven to be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option, especially for small gardens. It is not only free of charge, it is also ideal for irrigation because it is neither too cold nor too calcareous for more sensitive plants. In small gardens, a simple water butt or an old wine barrel is often sufficient as a collection container under the downspout.
Tips for clean water storage and sustainable irrigation
A lid protects once morest contamination and ensures that the water point does not become a place for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. The water in the barrel should not remain unused for too long to prevent germs from settling. A filter system that ensures permanently clean water without leaves and other impurities is recommended. So that the bin does not overflow, there is also an overflow protection, through which the water can run off via the downpipe. For larger gardens, an underground rain cistern can be worthwhile as an alternative to the barrel. It should hold at least 5000 to 6000 liters per 100 square meters of garden area. That’s enough for an average of five to six waterings. If the cistern is empty during longer periods of drought, tap water can be fed in to ensure the water supply. With modern garden pumps, the precious water can be pumped quietly and reliably out of the barrel or cistern.
Precise watering with drip systems
Plants absorb water through their roots, so why not water them there as well? With drip irrigation, plants get exactly the amount of water they need. Drip irrigation reduces evaporation and avoids overwatering and waterlogging. The plants are healthier because fungi can no longer settle on leaves that have been wetted with water. In addition, the nutrients in the soil are not washed out into deeper layers or even into the groundwater, but remain close to the roots. A positive side effect: Less weeds grow because the water is primarily absorbed by the crops.
Intelligent garden irrigation: Efficient water management
Even more efficient are smart irrigation solutions that supply the right amount of water to every type of plant at the right time in every soil. The system adapts to the weather forecast, even if nobody is there. How it works? Sensors measure the moisture in the soil. Watering is only done when the plants really need water. Because if the soil is moist enough, the forthcoming irrigation is suspended, thus saving water. If you want to control your water consumption in the garden even more precisely, you can connect the AquaCount water meter directly to a water tap, a sprinkler, a shower head or a pump. At the push of a button, the consumption per day, per season, per watering process or the current water flow can be shown on the display. This keeps an eye on consumption and raises awareness of how much water is used where.
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