Eco ideas for lawns and landscaping

 

Spending time outdoors is an essential aspect of the Australian way of life. Homeowners are showing more interest in taking care of and utilising their backyard so they are getting the most use out of it. By following a few of these tips related to your lawn and landscaping, you can save energy, water and money all while enjoying a beautiful backyard.

 

Lawns and landscaping—water and energy smart design
Lawns are responsible for up to 90 per cent of the water used in the average garden. Designing your garden to withstand times of low rainfall, including reducing lawn areas, can bring a range of benefits. Minimising the need for maintenance, water and other resources with a water smart garden means you’ll have more time to sit back and enjoy your oasis. Things to consider include:

  • Replacing lawn areas with easy to maintain renewable woodchips. Identify lawn areas you currently don’t use and turn these into garden beds. Besides saving on water use, other benefits sure to please include easy maintenance, and no more noise and air pollution from all the equipment required for trimming, edging and cutting. Your family and neighbours wanting to have a weekend sleep-in will love you for it.
  • Planting native species. Fill your newly mulched and chipped area with water-efficient, low maintenance, local native species that will attract birds and wildlife. As you look out on your new habitat, think of all the time and resources saved on mowing, watering, weeding or fertilising.
  • Measuring up. If you do want a lawn area, plan for the size you need for household activities, and consider planting drought-tolerant and native varieties that will require less water.
  • Reducing the amount of water your lawn and garden needs. Setting your mower to cut at 4 centimetres or higher provides greater protection for soil so it doesn’t dry out as quickly. Water your lawn deeply and infrequently instead of lightly and often to encourage a deeper root system and better water retention.
  • Reducing the need for heating and cooling. Well selected trees and shrubs can help reduce your heating and cooling bills. Plant shade trees that will keep the summer sun out and let the winter sun in to your home.
  • Selecting the right pump. Reduce the environmental impact and running costs of decorative ponds and fountains by choosing a solar pump and keeping your water clean and healthy at the same time.
  • Choosing equipment wisely. Consider our tips on choosing and using a mower, leaf blower and other lawn equipment so you can reduce your lawn’s environmental impact and save time and money too.

 

When watering your garden, save money by installing a rainwater tank as the main source of water for your garden. A water tank from Sydney Water Tanks is installed underground so it won’t take up your valuable yard space. Water from a Sydney Water tank is also better for your lawn as it chemically untreated and completely natural. To find out more, call Sydney Water Tanks on 1800 041 111.

 

This article was first published on LivingGreener.gov.au and reposted on www.sydneywatertanks.com.au/archive and www.bioseptic.com.au

Water restrictions – what you need to be aware of

An important responsibility of individuals and businesses is ensuring that water restriction rules are adhered to, in order to help protect and preserve this precious resource. If these rules are not followed individuals and businesses can face fines if the rules are breached.

Sydney Water provides the following guidelines which apply to those living in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Illawarra.

The rules

Watering your garden, you can:

  • water with hoses fitted with a trigger nozzle, sprinklers and irrigation systems any day before 10 am and after 4 pm
  • use a bucket or watering can to water lawns and gardens at any time
  • establish new lawn using your sprinkler or watering system at any time of day for 14 days after you’ve laid the turf
  • use water from your rainwater tank, as long as it’s not connected to or topped up with drinking water.

 

Looking after your pool and keeping cool, you can:

  • fill or top up your swimming pool
  • use water to cool people or animals.

 

Cleaning, you can:

  • use a bucket, watering can or a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle to wash vehicles
  • clean your bin using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle. Where possible, wash your bin in an official bin wash area or on grass
  • hose paths, driveways, concrete or other paved surfaces for health, safety, emergency, construction or surface discoloration reasons. You must be able to give a legitimate reason to one of our authorised staff members if you’re asked
  • use a hose to flush your boat engine
  • use a hose with a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning device to clean your boat bilges, boat trailer brakes and wheels.

 

Fire fighting, you can:

  • use a fire hose for fire fighting activities.

Exemptions
Recycled water, bore water, water used to test fire systems and water used for fire fighting are exempt from Water Wise Rules.

 

Water from rainwater tanks is also exempt if it is not topped up from our water supply.

 

Some government restrictions apply to bore water and water extracted from rivers, so always check with your local council or the NSW Office of Water.

Install a rainwater tank to use in your home and garden

Installing a rainwater tank in your home is an environmentally friendly and cost effective way to collect water to use in your garden. A rainwater tank from Sydney Water Tanks can also be connected to your toilet cistern which will save approximately 50,000L of town water per year from being flushed down the drain.

 

Call Sydney Water Tanks today on 1800 041 111 to find out more.

The Martins Group business update

It has been a year since we launched The Martins Group, the parent brand for the range of products we offer in the wastewater, water tanks and water management industry.

 

It has been a busy year for the all of the businesses within The Martins Group and business has been going well.

 

In October this year, BioSeptic reached an important business milestone; the business has been accredited by the Department of NSW Health for 20 years. The Director of BioSeptic, Bob Martin had the following to say about the businesses length of accreditation: “I began working in this industry in the 1980s and noticed that there was a need for a better quality system supported by better service provided directly by the manufacturer. Our business model of producing the best aerated wastewater treatment system and then supporting it with good service has sustained us over the last twenty years”. To read more about this business milestone click here.

 

New housing developments and BASIX requirements for new homes have seen an increase in rainwater tanks and combined rainwater tank and onsite detention tanks (OSDs) for required stormwater management systems. The tailored solutions we develop for clients to meet their needs utilise the products and expertise of Sydney Water Tanks, SWT Concrete Pits and Grates and SWT Onsite Detention Tanks.

 

We have also launched new products! This year we have had our new pump station accredited by the NSW Department of Health and we have designed and manufactured high quality stock troughs. To read more about our stock troughs click here.

 

Thank you to all of The Martins Group’s customers for their ongoing support and their help in making business a success.