Open Association of Landscape Industries
Appeal to the water companies before the deadline
I believe that the hosepipe ban imposed by the seven water companies in the south east will have a serious impact on the hundreds of small businesses working in the landscape industry in the south east.
Whilst we all understand the seriousness of the drought, the blanket ban imposed by Thames Water and others means that from 5 April, hosepipes cannot be used to water newly installed planting, turf and seeded areas. If you have not yet fully considered the implications of this, I have outlined my concerns in my letter of appeal (see below) and I am asking for a discretionary period for new garden installations.
All the water companies have a consulting period where representations or appeals can be made. The deadline for representations for Thames Water is 21 March (in writing to: Public Consultations Team, 2nd East, Thames Water, Clearwater Court, Reading, RG1 8DB - or by email to consultations@thameswater.co.uk). Check your water company for their deadlines and addresses.
I urge LJN members in the south east affected by this (there must be hundreds) to write to their water companies (please feel free to adapt my letter for your own business case if it helps). If there are enough people appealing and asking for a discretionary period, maybe our voices will be heard.
As an open association LJN is a voice in the industry and actively supports small businesses - a letter from LJN on behalf of its members in the south east may carry more weight. Strength in numbers?
Tags: ban, businesses, designers, drought, garden, hosepipe, landscapers, small
Replies to This Discussion
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Garden Doctor Chris on -
While I'm sympathetic to those whose business is heavily dependent on a guaranteed access to water for irrigation, particularly larger scale growers and planters, I'm not in complete agreement with the campaign to exempt landscaping/ turfing irrigation from the hosepipe ban.
Mains supply wastage and inefficiencies aside, I think any discussion over priority access to water during drought would not rank horticulture very highly, and why should it? If reservoirs are low and rivers at risk then it is our duty more than ever to seek ways to reduce non essential water consumption. That's bad news for the Horticulture industry and car washers and those wishing to jet wash their patios and fill their pools etc.
The concessions offered or negotiated from the water suppliers by this wider campaign (trickle irrigation, watering can, 28 days watering new turf etc) are well won and, anomalies aside (no watering in period for plants) should be a help to many, at least on the domestic scale. But why is anyone offering to lay turf during a drought? Why is a customer not able to postpone planting of non-drought resistant plants?
Along with all water economy methods/techniques, industry professionals may do well to broaden their work portfolio so as not to be dependent on just turfing/planting at all times.
I may ruffle your feathers and being in the West Country means I'm not under a ban but I hope this perspective can be understood.
I'm telling customers to delay turfing. I'm offering and encouraging mulch, rain water harvesting (for when it does rain!) and drip irrigation options. Don't water til the evening, don't mow often or low etc etc. If this area was under a ban I'd need to expand the restrictions and methods, if necessary limiting planting choice and scale.
Chris
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
I can understand the points you are making Chris.
Firstly, just to clarify. It's only drip irrigation, and not trickle irrigation that's allowed. Drip irrigation delivers significantly less water than a trickle system over the same time period.
Putting the water delivery system itself to one side I cannot see it is a practical or cost effective way of maintaining a newplanting or turfing investment in a garden. Setting up a drip irrigation in a garden of several hundred to several thousand square metres would take a lot of time and a considerable length of connecting pipes to achieve.
Having rigid pipes laid out across a garden also brings great challenges when it comes to maintenance: mowing lawns is one example of major inconvenience that comes to mind.
Postponing work is probably the most sensible and simplest solution. I do however see problems here too.
My previous business relied on taking on planting and turfing jobs in the spring and we could boost our income and profits considerably during this potential 8-16 week window from February through to the end of May (depending on weather conditions).
The autumn was the second (and best) opportunity to boost income and profits and I worked to maximise our plant and turf sales and installation during this period.
Whilst it is easy and sensible for a client to postpone their project until the autumn it isn't the same for businesses whose infrastructure probably couldn't cope with double the workload in an autumn period that is probably already over committed already. I think, in real terms, a postponement will turn to a loss in the majority of cases.
On a slightly different point but interconnected.
In 2010 a severe drought in the state of Texas, USA, over half a billion urban trees died through lack of water.
"Those trees will cost at least $560 million to remove and provided about $280 million annually in environmental and economic benefits, a study released Wednesday said."
As landscapers and gardeners we are not just commercial enterprises but also shepherds and stewards and it's in the nations's best interest that we are granted some concessions to maintain an already under pressure environment.
I see the hosepipe exemption we are asking for (at least from LJN's point of view, I cannot speak for others) as a parachute request to get us through this current crisis.
As an industry we must learn and learn fast - after all, it's not just crept up on us - and educate ourselves and others of ways to create and maintain gardens that are less tap water dependent.
I'd like to see a much greater emphasis on:
- Wise water use training at our horticulture education facilities
- Mandatory installation of grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting in new housing developments
- Utility bill reductions and tax credits for the installation of grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting in existing properties
One of the most interesting concepts to come out of the whole drought/hosepipe crisis is the introduction of a green card water permit for landscapers and gardeners linked to an education programme.
As industry professionals we are best placed to be a conduit between water suppliers and the end consumer and we can help teach the consumer the best methods of water saving and retention in the garden.
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Permalink Reply by Selina Botham on -
Here here Phil!
I think you make some excellent points, our green infrastructure is really valuable and our role as shepherds and stewards is vital.
Phil Voice said:I can understand the points you are making Chris.
Firstly, just to clarify. It's only drip irrigation, and not trickle irrigation that's allowed. Drip irrigation delivers significantly less water than a trickle system over the same time period.
Putting the water delivery system itself to one side I cannot see it is a practical or cost effective way of maintaining a newplanting or turfing investment in a garden. Setting up a drip irrigation in a garden of several hundred to several thousand square metres would take a lot of time and a considerable length of connecting pipes to achieve.
Having rigid pipes laid out across a garden also brings great challenges when it comes to maintenance: mowing lawns is one example of major inconvenience that comes to mind.
Postponing work is probably the most sensible and simplest solution. I do however see problems here too.
My previous business relied on taking on planting and turfing jobs in the spring and we could boost our income and profits considerably during this potential 8-16 week window from February through to the end of May (depending on weather conditions).
The autumn was the second (and best) opportunity to boost income and profits and I worked to maximise our plant and turf sales and installation during this period.
Whilst it is easy and sensible for a client to postpone their project until the autumn it isn't the same for businesses whose infrastructure probably couldn't cope with double the workload in an autumn period that is probably already over committed already. I think, in real terms, a postponement will turn to a loss in the majority of cases.
On a slightly different point but interconnected.
In 2010 a severe drought in the state of Texas, USA, over half a billion urban trees died through lack of water.
"Those trees will cost at least $560 million to remove and provided about $280 million annually in environmental and economic benefits, a study released Wednesday said."
As landscapers and gardeners we are not just commercial enterprises but also shepherds and stewards and it's in the nations's best interest that we are granted some concessions to maintain an already under pressure environment.
I see the hosepipe exemption we are asking for (at least from LJN's point of view, I cannot speak for others) as a parachute request to get us through this current crisis.
As an industry we must learn and learn fast - after all, it's not just crept up on us - and educate ourselves and others of ways to create and maintain gardens that are less tap water dependent.
I'd like to see a much greater emphasis on:
- Wise water use training at our horticulture education facilities
- Mandatory installation of grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting in new housing developments
- Utility bill reductions and tax credits for the installation of grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting in existing properties
One of the most interesting concepts to come out of the whole drought/hosepipe crisis is the introduction of a green card water permit for landscapers and gardeners linked to an education programme.
As industry professionals we are best placed to be a conduit between water suppliers and the end consumer and we can help teach the consumer the best methods of water saving and retention in the garden.
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Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by John Cavill on -
Hello all,
I have just had a call from Anglian Water to say even though their hosepipe ban comes into effect tomorrow, as a professional gardener I can still water my plants and lawns with a hose pipe providing its me doing it and not the customer!
I have asked them to put this in writing to me and they said they would email me today so I will post the email as soon as they do.
Anglian water are obviously playing ball with us, and news with the others?
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Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Marie-Plews Garden Design on -
my last point was that thames water seem to have withdrawn the examption for even watering for 28 days after laying turf / seed (never mind not even mentioning new planting) - as I understand their reasoining because this is wasteful of water whilst (presumably) washing walls and patios isnt...
retaining or possibly increasing the amount of "vegetation" especially in urban and suburban areas is critically important - think reducing temperatures in the urban heat island; improving air quality; reducing problems of water runoff (!); improving quality of life for the majority who live in urban/suburban areas, through green spaces to play/ relax/ interact in and also to reduce mental health issues; plus the maintenance & improvement of wildlife habitats & corridors and biodiversity - domestic gardens play a large and very important part in these matters.
as 'green' professionals I feel we are being totally sidelined as being unimportant both from our own economic persepective (ie can we contiue to run our businesses) as well as from the wider environmental role which we play as individuals and in educating others.
so what is our next move - direct action of some form? because petitions dont seem to be working and I'm seriously concerned not just from my own business's aspect but also from the wider impact - and, if as seems possible, thehosepipe ban could extend across the coutnry and for an indefinite period, we could end up with a major crisis that would have an effect on everyone as, taking the current response to extreme, I can envisage politicians and water companies deciding that food production is less important than having a clean Bentley or mercedes...
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Austin Powell-Allen on -
I think in varies on water company would be good if the water regulator had a set standard so it is the same everywhere if they want to introduce a hose pipe ban. I was told by Veolia Water no garden can be watered with a hose pipe unless you have laid new turf where this can be watered for the first 28 days by the customer.
Yet a professional trader can wash the walls or drives with a hose pipe whats the difference in Veolia Water areas
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Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by John Cavill on -
Anglian Water say yes to me using the hose pipe in the garden, they emailed me this:
Dear John
Thank you for your email.
Any commercial businesses operating at commercial premises are not included in the ban.
Businesses that operate at a domestic property or wash private vehicles (e.g. car/driveway washing or window cleaning) can use a hosepipe in the course of their work, where this is done as a service to customers.
The restrictions only relate to domestic/private usage in order to protect the livelihood of employees. If the situation does not improve and we need to look at a non essential use restrictions this could be reconsidered.
Alternatives to using a hosepipe should be used wherever possible
Kind Regards
Anglian water Customer Services
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on -
Attached is an interesting document allowing you to calculate typical water usage fora household from one the South West Water Authorities.
http://www.bristolwater.co.uk/pdf/customerService/yourBill/Understa...
Ok, it's all averages, but work through it for your household.
Then compare it with the water company's 'average' for outdoor use (ie 'gardening'), adjusted for your typical usage
By my estimate 'normal' outdoor' usage accounts for between 5-10% of a household total consumption (assuming no swimming pools etc etc).
So, to me that means the water ban is more 'political' than 'practical' ?
Perhaps banning Dishwashers or washing machines or fixing leaks would be more beneficial, but more likely a vote loser ?
Now there's a contentious thought !
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
Some good news everyone.
It's been a very busy week in LJN towers and I'm pleased to say, unless there is a major news item to overtake tomorrow's events, that Landscape Juice's hosepipe exemption campaign will be one of the headline news items on either BBC 6 or 10 O'Clock national news (possibly even both) and C4 News (7.00pm) tomorrow evening.
All of our collective hard work is really starting to pay off. The BBC tell me that around 8 million people watch the 6 O'Clock news.
Filming for the BBC news item took place today in a garden at Hindhead with LJN member Ben Lannoy and tomorrow's C4 filming will take place (fingers crossed) with Caro Sanders at a garden she's just completed in Ealing.
Both the BBC and C4 picked up on our extensive coverage of the hosepipe ban and our petition.
Both told me that the threat to professional landscapers and gardeners is an angle that hasn't been part of the national debate until now.
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Permalink Reply by Helen Gazeley on
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Well done, Phil.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on -
Well done, can only imagine how much effort that took to arrange.
Great to see the efforts of the Network's petition, tweets, emails, letters etc starting to pay off.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
Thanks Gary
We've collectively achieved so much in such a short period of time. Hopefully we'll get a response to our letters to Caroline Spelman and David Cameron.
I'm hoping that tomorrow's coverage will raise LJN's campaign profile to such a degree that the water companies will actually want to talk to us.
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