WORLD WATER DAY Seminar and Master Workshops

SUMMARY
Last summer’s drought and hose pipe bans was a disaster for millions of gardens. How can we handle it differently this summer?

A group of experts, academics and senior professionals from a wide range of companies came together for the first time to assess the wider impact and look at ways to ensure there need not be a repeat. Affordable, practical and innovative solutions are now available to domestic consumers in time for the next season.

DETAILS
There was a ruthless focus on domestic users and sustainable approaches to conserving our precious potable water supply.

For the first time a group of industry professionals and academics came together to focus on:

• saving water
• saving money
• saving gardens
• saving the environment
• saving the UK garden wildlife habitat

The Seminar was hosted at Capel Manor which was constructed in 1740 and has its own built - in, sustainable water supply. The timing was linked to World Water Day and funds were raised in support of the international charity, WaterAid
Expert Speakers
The common ground for all was a desire to improve things in the immediate future.
Mike Gunton         BBC Director of the Natural History Unit, Bristol
Chris Hines         Eden Project Director of Sustainability
Cath Hassell         Consultant in sustainable water and energy strategies
Colin Green          Professor of Water Economics, Middlesex University
David Williamson        WaterAid Engineering Advisor.
Charlie Dimmock        Celebrity gardener joined us for the workshops

Saving Water
Participants saw new ways of harvesting rainwater and re using domestic grey water to save water and save gardens from the effects of drought and hose pipe bans following best practice and sustainable principles.
We found it is not necessary to plant drought resistant species as there is potentially enough water for the existing stocks.

Carbon and cost penalties
Further, using drinking water to water gardens is becoming more costly as the charges for metered water continue to rise, and the energy used to make the water drinkable carries a substantial carbon penalty at a time when we are looking for ways to reduce carbon emissions. The principle is: ‘Reduce, reuse, recycle - it is your responsibility’.

Summers have become drier
There is a clear rainfall pattern for the South East of the UK where summers have become drier whilst winters are wetter. This skew means our gardens remain at risk of water shortages during the summer months with the paradox that domestic users are sending millions of litres literally down their drains- water that could save and nourish their plants. And we are failing to harvest rainwater, too thus adding to storm water problems.

Gardens are the largest habitat in the country
Changing the mix of plants carries well documented, real risks to our well established insect, bird and animal eco-system. For example, the wildlife finds it stressful to cope with rapid changes in flora. It took legislation to stop or limit the number of chemicals used in gardens- is legislation needed for water?

Sponsors
Watermatic Ltd, Banrock Station Wines, ESPA Pumps, Hosted by Capel Manor

Further Information:
World Water Day Event
c/o Watermatic Ltd
Althorne House
The Causeway
Potters Bar
Herts, EN6 5HG
Email: info@watermaticltd.co.uk