Page 28 - ALG Issue 3 2020
P. 28

Water!
Advice from Water Plus
   Water is a significant cost for allotment authorities, and it is usually the largest bill to be paid. On sites with a mains water supply, it should be used in a sensible and considerate manner by all. Where possible, every gardener should have water butts to harvest any rain that does fall. This is vital when the plot has a greenhouse or polytunnel as this increases watering requirements significantly. Our SW Mentor, Allan Cavill, has shared with us his method of collecting rainwater from his polytunnel.
Water is the lifeblood of any thriving allotment, so it’s worth taking steps to ensure your supply doesn’t stop unexpectedly and consider how to keepanywaterbillslow.Justlike homeowners, the bill-payer, whether it’s allotment societies, allotment holders or Parish and local councils, are responsible for the cost of
water supplied to the site through a wholesaler’s network. Using water efficiently helps to not only keep bill costs low but also helps the environment too.
TOP TIPS FOR SAVING WATER ON ALLOTMENTS:
• Check regularly for dripping taps,
hosepipes and leaks on the pipe network supplying allotments. It’s the responsibility of the bill payers to arrange any pipe repairs, from the point of the water meter, whether the leak is above or below ground.
• Consider how to collect as much rainwater as you can to use on
your allotment – so you reduce the amount you need from mains water and have a lower water bill too. Water butts and barrels are low-cost and provide an effective supply.
• Keep beds weeded – as weeds suck up water from the soil that could go to what you’re growing.
• Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch over the soil – this will help to retain moisture in the summer, suppress weeds, improve soil texture and release nutrients.
• Give some extra thought to the varieties of fruit and vegetables you’d like to grow during the year. There are varieties of plants that do well in hot, dry weather, which again reduces the amount of water you need to use.
• Consider using watering cans instead of a hose. If you do need to use a
hose, use one with a trigger gun attached to control flow to reduce water waste and make your water bill lower.
• Wateryourcropsisintheevening or very early morning, aiming at the roots not the foliage.
• Water thoroughly on a weekly basis and soak the soil, this encourages the roots to go deeper in search of moisture.
HOW TO CHECK FOR WATER LEAKS ON PIPES ON-SITE
It’s worth keeping an eye out for unusually damp or lush ground,
or reduced vegetation growth on allotments, which could indicate a leak elsewhere. We have tips on how to carry out your own checks for leaks on your land in our free 4-step leak check guide at www.water-plus.co.uk/ leakcheck
If there’s no mains water at your allotment site and neighbouring sites are affected, then it’s worth contacting the wholesaler for your area first to see if there’s a supply interruption
on the wholesaler network that is providing water to your site. They can then update you on the action they’re taking to resolve this situation and any repairs on the network. If there isn’t an interruption on the wholesaler network then you may have a leak on the pipes on your site. We also recommend pipes are buried at least 75cm (750mm) underground to protect them from the worst of the winter weather, as well as the potential for accidental damage.
BILLING
Make sure you contact your water retailer with the most up to date contact details for the water bill account
Keep beds weeded – as weeds suck up water from the soil that could go to what you’re growing
including: name of the person and allotment society bills should go to, the billing address, email and telephone numbers. If you’re with Water Plus, and you’re in the Severn Trent wholesaler area, you can email service@ water-plus.co.uk to update account information (remember to include your customer account number and put the email subject heading as “Allotment account”). If you’re with Water Plus, and you’re in the United Utilities wholesaler area or another wholesaler area, please email customerservice@water-plus. co.uk If the person responsible for paying the bill changes, please ensure you contact your retailer to update the details. It’s worth providing regular meter reads to your retailer too, if the water meter is safe to access, and this allows you to see where any unexpected increases in water use happen, as this can indicate a leak on-site.
ALLOWANCES FOR WATER THAT DOESN’T GO BACK INTO THE PUBLIC SEWER
Where allotment plot-holders or allotment society members use mains water for tasks such as watering plants and vegetables, they may be eligible for an allowance from the wholesaler as some of the wastewater won’t return to the public sewer. Wholesalers, who grant ‘non-return to sewer wastewater allowances’ have set requirements
for these and may require additional information from the sites. These requirements, which may include submitting regular meter readings,
are part of current water industry processes.
           28 Allotment and Leisure Gardener




































































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