The Great Use Less Water Hunt

lustydog

mjbeckett wrote:

Hi Folks

Please could someone clarify something for me. From reading this post it says that soapy water can be used to water your garden. Is this correct? If so does this apply to washing machine/dishwasher water as well?

Thanks in advance. Mark

Don't worry about daft questions, we've all asked them at some time.
Some plants seem to like the washing machine water, and others don't. Provided you don't use biological powder it should be ok.
If in any doubt, try it on a patch of weed, you might find you've discovered an innocuous weed killer

Ridersbolt

A little know fact:- Some water companies can reduce the sewerage charges on your bill. If you have a water meter, you pay for the sewerage portion based on the metered water amount you use. If you can collect used water ie from bath, shower, washing machine or sink, ask your water company for a reduction in sewerage charges. I did several years ago (Anglian Water) and had my sewerage charges reduced to an eigth (12 1/2%)!

gromituk

Hmmm - I think you were lucky. Thames will reduce your sewerage charges by a small amount if you can prove that none of your surface water is handled by them. I don't think they offer any other discounts.

Ridersbolt

It isn't advertised by the water companies and I did get a visit from them first. When they saw the large recycled blue plastic bins full of GREY water (not run off) they offered the large discount to me. I only used the sewer for the toilet!

gromituk

Good for you - I'm not sure I could dispose of all my grey water in the garden!

mentat_2

Thames Water don't even supply 'Hippos' or equivelant - there is nothing helpful on their site at all about water conservation in the home. Other water sites have entire studies for the consumer about water saving devices and even recommendations.

They really don't have a clue.

gromituk

They do, actually, although it's not obvious:

http://waterwise.fortune-cookie.com/home/

itsfrommark

itsfrommark wrote:

Build (dig) a pond. The larger the better, it's great for wildlife and will provide hours of relaxtion - watching all the water boatmen, dragonflies, tadpoles etc.
Best of all its the biggest resevoir you can create, even beating water butts for volume of water etc. Just dip into it with your watering can as required, of course returning all the pond snails and newts afterwards!

I've never wanted for water in my garden here in sunny sunny Bournemouth...
Mark

gromituk wrote:

Unfortunately I find the exact opposite with my pond! It can lose 2cm a day in really hot weather, and it needs to be kept at reasonably constant level if there are any marginal plants. But if you are willing to let your pond be completely natural then the level can vary large amounts. You'll still need to divert rainwater into it to fill it though.

yes that is a problem - but if the pond is big enough it doesnt matter - most marginals and aquatic life etc in the natural world are adapted to ephemeral conditions. My pond fills directly from a conservatory downpipe and despite the series of record breaking summers here in Bournemouth since 1990 I have maintained a resevoir to water my tomatoes etc.

gromituk

Well I've diverted every house gutter and quite a lot of next door's too, and even with 5000l stored under my decking I still run out sometimes! If this summer's a scorcher I might have to tarpaulin over part of it to reduce evaporation.

johnalexwood

I think use of a waterless carwash, such as Miracle Drywash, is a good way for the UK to save water. John Wood