GUIDE TO WATER WISE LANDSCAPING - South African Landscapers' Institute & Rand Water's
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South African Landscapers’ Institute & Rand Water’s
GUIDE TO WATER
WISE LANDSCAPING
2017
LANDSCAPING
Servest with its biodiversity consulting partners Local Biodiversity Council have
garnered a consistent reputation – ‘working with the power of nature’ – one of
self- sustainability, financial efficiency and accountability by providing you with
a service that is accredited by Ecocert Biodiversity Certification. With over 20
years of scientific and professional, environmental experience is underpinned
by what we refer to as ‘functional restoration,’ a holistic, efficient and cost
effective model that solves the problems surrounding excess water
consumption, additive usage, storm water management, erosion, waste
management and habitat destruction.
www.servest.co.za
Servest Connect 0860 22 55 84
ONE SOLUTION FOR ALL YOUR FACILITIES
The future of Water CONTENTS
Wise landscaping 2 Footprint of supply
3 Water Wise living
Drought, a word that has appeared more frequently in our conversations of late. To
ignore the reality about the changes to our climate would be like shooting ourselves 4 Landscaping for climate change
in the foot.
6 Expect intense weather
Water and the availability of water is the heartbeat of climate change. Understanding,
respecting and preserving this resource is of vital importance because it effects our 7 Surviving droughts
planning, it affects our ability run our business and business operations, which all have
9 Eight Water Wise principles
major financial implications. Not to mention our environment, ecosystems and ultimately
all life on earth is dependent on this resource for survival. All water resources used in 10 1 – Water Wise design
and to maintain landscapes must therefore be used sparingly and with utmost care.
11 2 – Planting in zones
Acknowledging this, Rand Water and SALI have collaborated to produce this
Guide to Water Wise Landscaping which will take you on a journey to understand 12 3 – Create practical turf zones
some of the complexities associated with supplying potable drinking water and how
14 4 – Protect your soil
climate change could affect this supply in the future.
We then go on to elaborate on practical water wise principles that can be 17 5 – Efficient irrigation
implemented to help reduce water use (from any source) in the landscape. By
20 6 – Water harvesting strategies
adapting landscapes to reduce their need on water, the landscaping industry can
make a substantial contribution to reducing demand on water resources. 22 7 – Water and invasive species
SALI together with Rand Water has for the first time modified the criteria for the
24 8 – Maintaining Water Wise landscapes
SALI Awards of Excellence to include a Water Wise element in each category of
the awards. This shift in mind-set creates a platform to celebrate different types of 26 Promoting professionalism in landscaping
landscapes for the value they add in various water conservation principles. Finally the
27 National Awards
latter part of the guide showcases this.
With such achievements in one of the worst droughts faced by South Africans, we 28 SALI Shield winner
hope that this guide will inspire anyone who engages in a landscaped environment to
30 Ten trophy winners
appreciate it and to be Water Wise.
33 Awards – Environmental landscaping
Meagan Donnelly & Leslie Hoy
34 Awards – In-house design
36 Awards – Design by others
Editorial Team
39 Awards - Turf construction
Rand Water Editors: Leslie Hoy and Meagan Donnelly
Consultant Editors: Dez Whitehead, Kay Montgomery, Sikhululekile Solwandle 40 Awards - Maintenance
Design and Layout: Gerda Cotty 43 Awards - Specialised landscape construction
Website: www.randwater.co.za | www.sali.co.za
47 SALI Listings
This publication is a joint venture between Rand Water and the South African
Landscapers’ Institute (SALI) 2017.
Cover: Water Wise and eco-friendly landscaping. Designed conditions, these obstacles have been overcome by the correct
and implemented by DDS Landscaping, the project known use of plants and their suitability for the site.
as Veld Garden, Robertson The speed in which the plants have grown can only attest to
received the Trophy for the high degree of soil preparation done prior to planting. Proper
the Best Environmental soil preparation addresses two main issues. The first deals with
Landscape Work at the 2017 ensuring the adequate supply of nutrients that will allow your
South African Landscaper’s plants to grow. The second pertains to creating a soil structure
Institute Awards of that allows your plants to properly obtain and uptake those
Excellence. nutrients.
“In this 7 590 square metre DDS Landscaping had to contend with game grazing newly
garden overlooking a game planted grass plugs as well as finding out that the planting
farm, DDS Landscaping of certain grass species before the winter months was not
has managed to achieve successful.
the brief of the client ‘to It is only through lessons like this that are learnt and corrected
rehabilitate the surrounding a contractor can learn and implement corrective changes to
veld into the garden’. In an enhance the sustainability of the garden design. The planting
area of the Little Karoo that palette makes use of interesting Eragrostis and Helichrysum
is renowned for its poor soil species that are not traditionally used on landscape sites”. -
and huge variations in climatic SALI National Judge.
Guide to Water W ise Landscaping
Footprint
of supply
Rand Water is at the forefront of supplying potable
water to over 16 million people.
Pic: Lukas Otto.
The 54.2 metre high wall of the Vaal Dam was completed in 1938.
W ater has always been a scarce
resource on the Witwatersrand
as the goldfields of Johannesburg were
• The availability of water from the
Tugela-Vaal system made it possible for
Rand Water to maintain restricted, but
established 70km from the nearest river in adequate, water supplies to consumers
1886. To this day, Johannesburg remains during major droughts (1983-1987 &
the only major city in the world that is not 1994-1996 & 2015-2016).
built on a river or lake.
Water from Lesotho
Supplying potable water to Gauteng • The Lesotho Highlands Water Project
evolved over many years. (LHWP) also transfers water to the Vaal
• On 8 May 1903, The Rand Water Board Dam.
was officially established by the Rand • The project comprises six dams and
Water Board Incorporation Ordinance three pumping stations. It diverts
No. 32 of May 1903 to supply water to the flow of the Orange River via
Johannesburg. tunnels through the Maluti Mountains,
• The 1903 Rand Water Board included channelling the water to the Eastern Free
members of the Johannesburg Town State, and then on to the Vaal Dam.
Council, The Chamber of Mines, and • Phase I of the LHWP was completed
other existing local authorities in the in 1998. Phase II is scheduled for
Witwatersrand. completion in 2025.
• To augment the supply of water from
the early boreholes and reservoirs, Water footprint
Rand Water embarked on large water • Today Rand Water provides bulk
engineering projects. potable water to a service area of over
• In 1914, the Board adopted the Vaal 20 000km².
Development Scheme (1914–1924), • The ‘Rand Water Gauteng’ supply
which involved the construction of footprint ranges from Rustenburg
the Vaal Barrage and the provision and Carletonville in the North West
of purification and pumping works in Province to Sasolburg and Heilbron
Vereeniging. in the Free State. ‘Rand Water
Pic: Lukas Otto.
• This was followed by the building of the Mpumalanga’ operates as far east as
Zwartkopjes Pumping Station and Vaal Bushbuckridge, with water supplied
Tourist attraction. The Lesotho Highlands Water Project transfers
water to the Vaal Dam. Dam (1938) and Zuikerbosch Pumping from various sources in Mpumalanga
Station (1949). supplying over 1 million people.
• The Tugela-Vaal scheme (1974) • More than 15 million people live in the
fed water into the Vaal River via an ‘Rand Water Gauteng’ footprint and
inter-basin transfer of water from the over half of South Africa’s economic
Tugela River in KwaZulu-Natal. Water activity takes place within it.
continues to be released into the Vaal • Rand Water is the largest bulk water
River system from the Sterkfontein Dam utility in Africa and is one of the largest
via the Nuwejaar Spruit and Wilge River. in the world.
What is potable water?
Potable water is water from natural sources that has undergone costly
Pic: Loren Shirley-Carr.
purification processes to render it safe to drink. Delivered through a complex
system of pipes and reservoirs, it is often referred to as municipal water.
Water is a precious resource.
“Water conservation is destined to be an inevitable part of everyday life”.
2 - Leslie Hoy, Rand Water
Guide to Water W ise Landscaping
Water Wise living
In our water-stressed country, a Water Wise A history of honouring water wise
campaign to value water and use it wisely has
been essential.
landscape design
H
Rand Water Trophy for the Best Water Wise Project at
ow has Rand Water school and community the South African Landscape Institute Annual Awards of
been involved in vegetable gardens, rural Excellence (2013-2016).
promoting Water Wise community education and
concepts? a Water Wise campaign to
• During the drought of 1994, businesses, industry, the
Rand Water launched a public (of all LSM levels) as
Horticultural Forum as well as to all sectors of the
part of their campaign to green industries.
highlight the importance of • Following international
Water Wise landscapes and trends, the Environmental
low water landscaping. Management Services of
• The aim was to promote Rand Water has become
processes which assisted increasingly interested in
in the development of low quantifying the amount 2013: Life Landscapes for Alexander Forbes, Sandton.
water landscapes that of potable water used in
use water effectively and landscapes.
efficiently. • This pioneering work is
• In 1995, Rand Water a valuable foundation to
initiated a water Water Wise landscaping
conservation campaign campaign.
using ‘Manzi’ the mascot. • Water Wise landscapes
• In 1997, the Water Wise and landscape design are
brand was launched. honoured by Rand Water
• During the next two through trophies presented
decades, Rand Water at garden centre shows and
2014: Cape Contours for the Mitchells Plain Hospital, Cape Town.
launched numerous Water in the green industries over
Wise campaigns aimed at many years.
increasing awareness of the
need to value water and to Water Wise in action
use it wisely. Rand Water have developed
• Campaigns over the years four educational Water Wise
have included Water Wise demonstration gardens.
guides to landscaping • Delta Environmental
and golf courses, plants Centre Water Wise garden
for bees and butterflies, (1998).
developing food gardens, • Water Wise House at
firescaping your property, Rand Water’s Vereeniging
removing waterholic Purification Station is used 2015: Life Landscapes for Rooibergkrans Private Game Lodge, Bela Bela.
invasive species, zoning purely for school group
your garden, water features, education (2003).
wetlands and many more. • Water Wise garden at the
• The Three Drop Water Walter Sisulu National
Wise Guide divides plant Botanical Gardens (2011).
species into low, medium • Water Wise garden at the
and high water users. It Pretoria National Botanical
is especially useful for Gardens (PNBG) (2014)
developing hydro-zoned
landscapes. For more information
• Water Wise has increased about the campaign visit
its education footprint to www.randwater.co.za and 2016: Life Landscapes and Real Green (Joint Venture) for Sun City.
include, amongst others, click on the Water Wise logo.
“South Africa needs to plan for periods of drought and manage water availability
and accessibility carefully”. - Candice McKechnie, eNCA meteorologist. 3
Water and climate change
Landscaping
for climate change
Green buildings are increasingly incorporating a range
of living walls and roofs.
Pic: Carol Knoll.
Double Gold Award 2017. A living wall at Rosebank Corner, Johannesburg installed by Life Landscapes. A two storey high living wall at Netcare, Pinehaven installed by Bidvest Top Turf.
W ater is the primary medium through which
climate change impacts will be felt by
humans and the environment.
Whilst governments grapple with the climate
change commitments arising from the Kyoto
Protocol (1997) and Paris Agreement (2016), local
organisations are developing monitoring tools
and quality assurance platforms for the new low
carbon economy.
For landscapers, the climate change movement
to reduce energy in green buildings, quantify
water use in landscaping and develop landscapes
that are in harmony with nature is gathering. The
most notable responses locally can be seen in
three ways.
Greening a parkade at 4 Stan Road, Sandton. Bertha An entire building, The Grand in Rivonia, Johannesburg was
Wium Landscape Development. covered with living walls by Servest Landscaping.
Quantifying water use in landscapes
Landscapers are tapping into apps, calculators
and resources to offer clients the option to
scientifically monitor the amount of water used in
landscape projects.
There are a range of water scoring solutions
for doing this supplied by Water Footprint, Carbon
Disclosure Project, Audubon International and
Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA).
The efficient use of water on the green building
site accounts for just over 15% of the scoring in
the GBCSA ‘Green Star’ rating system.
Installing living walls
Vertical gardens or biowalls can be grown on just
about any type of wall, with or without the use of A living wall becomes eco-signage at the Entertainment Centre, Sun City.
“Learn from what grows naturally in your area. Select plants from your local veld
4 type”. – Marijke Honig, plant ecologist.
Water and climate change
soil. They can be placed both on outdoor - 4 Stan Road, Sandown, Sandton - is all the guest rooms at the boutique hotel,
and indoor walls. likely to evolve into a multi-storey bird Forum Homini, Cradle of Humankind,
Indoor vertical walls decorate atriums and eco-friendly living wall. west of Johannesburg.
such as award winning examples at
Netcare Pinehaven (2016 Gold Medal) Creating living roofs Why are living roofs so successful?
Atrium on 5th (2016 Gold Medal) or Most of the award winning roof gardens Planted up with Water Wise endemic
Rosebank Corner which received a make use of Water Wise endemic flora in a thin layer of soil medium on the
Double Gold Medal Award in the 2017 grasses and succulents. roof of a building, living roofs beautify our
South African Landscapers’ Institute Heimo Schulzer Gardens’ living roof environment by:
Awards. garden in Higgovale, Cape Town was • Assisting a building to blend into their
Outdoor living walls are used as honoured with a Double Gold Award in environment;
ecological signage as used at the the 2017 SALI Awards. • Stabilising the climate in a building;
Entertainment Centre, Sun City or cover Other examples include the treed • Reducing heating and cooling costs;
entire buildings such as The Grand in roof of the parking area at Nelson • Reducing storm water run-off;
Rivonia, Johannesburg. Most recently, Mandela Square in Sandton, Grace Hotel • Filtering pollutants and carbon dioxide,
the planting of climbers in containers at in Rosebank, Life Sciences Faculty, out of the air;
all levels of a multi-storey car parkade at University of the Western Cape, library • Increasing wildlife habitat in built-up
the certified ‘4 Green Star’ green building of Stellenbosch University, and roofs of urban areas.
GvH Landscapes planted up living roofs for the Spanish Farm Guest Lodge, Somerset West.
Capescapes planted up a living roof garden designed by OvP Associates at the Life Sciences
Faculty, University of the Western Cape.
Pic: Carol Knoll.
Double Gold Award 2017. Heimo Schulzer Gardens’ grass roof at Higgovale Office Garden, Cape
An endemic grassland roof at Steyn City, Johannesburg landscaped by Golf Data. Town.
My favourite roof garden
Botanist, landscaper and author, Marijke Honig was honoured for
her exceptional contribution to landscaping in 2016. An expert in
indigenous plants and the ecology of fynbos, Marijke’s favourite roof
garden is one her team designed for the Department of Environmental
Affairs and Planning in Dorp Street, Cape Town.
Reflecting the endemic biomes of the Western Cape, the roof garden
is designed as a Water Wise educational space. With a soil depth of
30cm, the team packed a lot of biodiversity into a small roof garden.
Source:
Indigenous Plant Palettes: An essential guide to plant selection by Marijke Honig. Pg 128, Water Wise roof garden, Dorp Street, Cape
Quivertree Publications, 2014. Marijke Honig. Town.
“The secret to Water Wise landscaping is to know what vegetation region we live
in and to choose plant species which are suited to that region”.
– Ernst van Jaarsveld, Kirstenbosch.
5
Water W ise landscaping and climate change
Expect
intense
Pic: Bruce Sutherland.
weather Desperate drought. The Theewaterskloof Dam which supplies water to Cape Town was down to 15% in May 2017.
What does intense
weather mean for the
landscaping industry?
Pic: Courtesy of Simplysnap
Crisis in Cape Town The Vaal Dam was only 30% full in November 2016.
• In 2008, the City of Cape
Town predicted future
shortages of potable water.
• By early 2017, the worst
water crisis in living memory
L andscapers rely on water. How will
climate change affect the supply
of water for landscaping projects across
practice. A City of Cape Town by-law (2006)
states:
• No watering of residential gardens
had hit the City of Cape southern Africa? between 10h00 and 16h00.
Town. • Hosepipes must be fitted with automatic
• Fuelled by three winters of What weather to expect? self-closing devises.
below-average rainfall, the What are the implications of climate • No automatic top-up systems fed from
city went to Level 4 water change for South Africa? a potable (drinking) water source may
restrictions on 1 June 2017. • There will be more ‘drier dry spells’ be used to supply swimming pools and
• Level 4 restrictions: and ‘wetter wet spells’ resulting in ponds.
- Prohibit the use of intense floods and intense droughts. • No person may hose down a hard-
municipal drinking water • The arrival of intense floods may surface or paved area using potable
for gardens, landscaping, relieve water shortages, but floods will water, without getting prior written notice
water features or filling up damage bridges and result in more from Council.
swimming pools. water-borne diseases. • Potable water may not be used to
- Golf courses, sports • Rivers, lakes and dams will be damp building sand and other building
facilities, parks, schools impacted mainly by increasing materials to stop them from being blown
and learning institutions variability in rainfall. away.
are not allowed to • The western side of South Africa will • The maximum flow rate from a tap
establish new landscaping become drier, impacting on agriculture. installed in a wash hand basin may not
or sports fields, except if The eastern side will have longer spells exceed 6 litres per minute.
irrigated only with non- of drought. Both sides however will • Toilet cisterns may not exceed 9.5 litres
potable water. experience heavy rains when they do in capacity.
- Flushing toilets with occur. • No automatic cistern or tipping tank may
non-potable water (e.g. • It is predicted that there will be an be used for flushing a urinal.
greywater or rainwater) is increased number of people without • Major water users (using more than
encouraged. access to sufficient fresh water. This 3 650Kl per annum), excluding multiple
- Residents are encouraged will worsen food shortages. dwellers’ units, must conduct an annual
to use no more than • Overall, water supplies will diminish in water audit.
100 litres/person/day. quantity and quality. • Commercial car wash industries must
• It is estimated that several recycle a minimum of 50% of the water
years of good winter rainfall Urban water efficiency used in their operations.
will be needed to reverse the In anticipation of projected growth and • No person supplied with water in terms
crisis. water shortages, cities across South Africa of this by-law may sell such water without
have passed by-laws to promote best written permission or special agreement.
“Creating a beautiful landscape with endemic plant material that survives on
natural rainfall is the Water Wise challenge of our generation”.
6 – Morne Faulhammer, SALI National Judge.
Landscaping for drought
Surviving droughts
Learning to identify drought-resistant plant material is
key to coping with drought.
“T he drought of 2015/2016 is one
of the biggest drought events
in living memory”, says Professor Bob
Scholes, Wits Global Change and
Sustainability Research Institute (Cape
Argus, 9 March 2016).
What is the definition of drought? “If
a specific area in South Africa receives
less than 75 percent of its normal rainfall,
we consider that area to be experiencing
a meteorological drought” says Elsa de
Jager, South African Weather Service. “It
can be safely assumed that a shortfall of
20% from normal rainfall will cause crop
and water shortfalls in many regions,
accompanied by social and economic
hardship”, she says. Water Wise winner. Servest Landscaping & Turf transformed a previously manicured garden at Meyersdal Eco Estate into a natural
endemic garden with no irrigation.
According to the South African Weather
Service:
• South Africa received the lowest
by evaporation. Example: ericas,
most acacias (Senegalia spp.),
Average provincial
rainfall between January and rosemary, origanum and thyme. annual rainfall
December 2015 since the recording
of rainfall began in 1904.
• Grey foliage. Grey or blue-green
leaves reflects the sun’s rays away in mm
• Since 1904, rainfall in all nine from the plant, thereby keeping the
provinces has averaged 608mm plant cooler, reducing transpiration. Eastern Cape 552
a year. During 2015, South Africa Examples: arctotis, honey flower Free State 532
received an average of 403mm (Melianthus major), cancer bush Gauteng 668
(66 percent of the annual average). (Sutherlandia frutescens). KwaZulu-Natal 845
• Previously, the lowest rainfall • Hairy leaves. Hairs surrounding the Limpopo 527
received in a year was in 1945 stomata slow down air movement Mpumalanga 736
when South Africa received 437mm past the stomata, thereby reducing North West 481
(72% of annual average). water loss. Examples: silver tree Northern Cape 202
(Leucadendron argenteum), beach Western Cape 348
Planting for drought salvia (Salvia africana-lutescens),
Water Wise landscaping is all about Buddleja spp. • Reduced size and number of leaves.
choosing drought-resistant plants that • Succulent leaves. Water is stored Some plants reduce moisture loss by
are indigenous to regions with extremely in thick fleshly leaves to be available dispensing with leaves. Examples:
low rainfalls. when necessary. Examples: karee (Rhus lancea), Acacia spp.,
crassulas, aloes, echevaria, vygies. buffalo thorn (Ziziphus mucronata).
Look out for these characteristics which • Closing leaves. Leaves that close • Plants with lighter colours on the
render plants extremely water-efficient. when water-stressed, reducing undersides of their leaves. When
• Sturdy internal structures. Strong the number of stomata exposed stressed, they turn the lighter side
internal skeleton which supports the to sunlight to reduce transpiration. upwards to reflect the sun away.
leaf, prevents wilting and enables Examples: Acacia spp., Jerusalem Examples: gazania, wild olive,
them to survive for longer periods sage (Phlomis fruticosa), rock rose Buddleja spp.
without water. Examples: strelitzia, (Cistus spp.). • Volatile oils in the stomata. An
restios. • Waxy cuticle. A waxy leaf coating extra protection against water loss,
• Leaf size and shape. Small or helps to prevent moisture loss. they reduces water transpiration
needle-like leaves that minimise the Examples: Euonymus spp., from the leaves. Examples: rosemary,
surface area from which water is lost Kalanchoe spp., wild fig (Ficus spp.). lavender, thyme, sage, oreganum.
Nearly 91% of South Africa falls within the United Nations’ definition of dry
lands. These are extraordinarily dry areas where rainfall is low and evaporation
rates high.
7
Water W ise Landscaping
Eight
Water Wise principles
Discover the eight basic principles underlying the art
of Water Wise landscaping.
W ater Wise landscaping is an approach
to landscaping which applies eight
basic principles of water conservation.
Existing, transformed or traditional manicured
landscapes can also be altered to make
them Water Wise. The best time to convert
an existing landscape to one that is Water
Wise is when it needs a revamp. If building Double Gold Award. Over 230 indigenous Highveld species were planted
alterations are to be carried out, this is also a by Servest for the Birdlife SA garden in Saxonwold, Johannesburg.
good time to reassess the landscaping.
For many landscapers, Water Wise
landscaping is inextricably linked to the
planting of regionally indigenous plants.
Adapted to the prevailing conditions, and
once established, an endemic Water Wise
garden not only reduces your water footprint,
but also contributes to environmental
conservation.
Bring the veld into my garden. DDS Landscaping received a Choose plants correctly. Over 25 species of trees were sourced by
South Africa has over 23 000 indigenous Double Gold for Veld Garden, Robertson. Enviromental Studios for House Dix in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal.
plants. “If you live in a bushveld environment,
it makes sense to establish a bushveld
landscape” says Ernst van Jaarsveld, a
past curator of the succulent collection at
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. “If
you are designing in the Western Cape create
a strandveld-fynbos landscape. If you are
landscaping on the Highveld, use the glorious
indigenous grasses of the area in your
project”, says van Jaarsveld. Rothe Plantscapers maintain a landscape that captures water at the African Leadership Academy, Roodepoort.
Eight Water Wise principles how much and how often to water 6. Harvest rainwater and reuse water.
Whether you choose to plant with local plants through the seasons. Install a rainwater tank to capture
or not, there are eight basic principles to 3. Create practical turf areas of harvested water off a roof, channel
Water Wise landscaping: manageable sizes and shapes, and water directly from downpipes or divert
1. Plan and design for water conservation select appropriate grass types such storm water into a pond. Terracing
and beauty from the start. Design as hybrids of Cynodon dactylon and sloping ground to create level areas of
principles include scale, balance, interest, Cynodon transvaalensis varieties rather soil is a way to harvest rainwater with
harmony and continuity. Less obvious, but than kikuyu. Shapes must be easy to each terrace and prevent soil erosion.
important design elements include creating water using appropriate sprinklers. 7. Remove invasive species. There
shaded areas to help preserve moisture in 4. Use soil amendments such as compost, are 379 listed invasive plants many
the soil, planning windbreaks to prevent manure and water retentive polymers. of which are known to consume
wind drying out the soil or designing To this end, use mulches, especially in large quantities of water and destroy
a wetland as a reservoir for harvested high and moderate watering zones. habitats. Remove them from your
rainwater. 5. Irrigate efficiently with properly landscape.
2. Zone the landscape into different hydro designed systems, and by applying the 8. Maintain a landscape by not only
zones (high, medium, low and no water) right amount of water at the right time. mowing, pruning and fertilising
and group plants according to their water It is important to use separate stations correctly, but also by planning new
usage. for each distinct hydro zone and plantings and habitats that could
Make the low water usage zone as consider drip irrigation as an efficient dramatically increase the bird and
large as possible. Thereafter, determine water management system. butterfly habitats.
“Long thought of as ‘granny plants’, succulents have finally become fashionable
as landscapers appreciate their stylish forms and drought-tough nature”.
– Neville Passmore.
9Water W ise design
Design and
planning
Five tips for planning and designing Water Wise landscapes.
World-class planning. Swales and berms at the Nelson Mandela
Children’s Hospital, planted up by Life Landscapes, channel
water from parking areas into a large border. GvH Landscapes uses containers to plant up a glamorous living roof for House Harris.
D
-
esign the landscape with the end
goals in mind. These goals should be:
Meeting the user/customer/client
zone, cover 30-60% of the landscape,
the medium water usage 2-drop zone
cover 20-40%, and the high water
Tip 4:
Capture the rain
• Plan to capture rainwater by designing
requirements. usage 3-drop zone as small as possible channels, berms, water features, rain
- Complying to basic landscape design covering only 10-20% of the landscape. tanks and permeable paving into your
principles. • Reduce lawn areas. Replace with design.
- Designing for and mitigating local permeable paving, gravel or low water • Identify the source of fallen rain water
environmental and climatic conditions usage, 1-drop ground covers. Design (roof, gutters, paving or the street).
to enhance the site. the irrigation system with suitable • Decide where the rain water must go
- Designing with the aim of reduced water technology to match each hydro zone. (rain tank, wetland, seasonal bog or
use and increased reuse (being Water water feature).
Wise). Tip 2: • Design features (berms, swales,
- Ensuring that maintenance of site,
irrigation and hard landscaping features Site hydro zones for convenience wetlands, dry river beds or paving) to
• Place high water usage zones close to direct rain water.
can be accommodated. • Plan to retain the water on your property
- Clever selective plant choice suited to the the house where colourful annuals can
be grouped for impact and watering will by installing permeable paving, terraces
environment and selected hydro zones. or wetlands. Site a rain water tank near
- The design should make be easier during dry spells.
• Situate the low water usage zones gutters to collect water from the roof.
accommodation for aspects such as
practical functionalities, soil preparation, around the perimeter.
irrigation, water harvesting, removal of Tip 5:
alien plants and maintenance as will be Tip 3: Make use of containers
discussed in the following sections. Prepare your soil • Containers lose less water than the soil and
Soil preparation is the key to a Water can be watered with harvested rain water.
Tip 1: Wise landscape. • High water usage, 3-drop plants can
Design in hydro zones • Compost. Raising the organic matter in be planted in containers near a patio or
An important design principle in a Water soil will increase the moisture retention entrance.
Wise landscape is to group plants with in the soil. • To reduce water loss, group patio
similar water requirements together, • Mulch. Place a thick layer of organic container plants together. The foliage
in different areas. Slowly transform an mulch such as compost, grass cuttings, creates a canopy to help shade the soil
existing garden into hydro zones or plan a pine needles, chopped bark, peach and keep it cool.
new garden from scratch with hydro zones. pips, straw manure or autumn leaves • Fill containers with potting soil that
• Map out where the hydro zones will be across the soil. As they break down, drains well and is high in organic matter.
in your landscape, taking into account they enrich the soil. Replace organic • Add water-retaining polymer granules to
the water needs of existing trees and mulches regularly. Inorganic mulches the potting soil.
large shrubs. such as gravel, pebbles and stone chips • Larger pots are better at water use than
• Make the low water usage, 1-drop also help to retain moisture in the soil. smaller pots.
Water sensitive development involves simple design and management practices
that take advantage of natural site features and minimize negative impacts on
10 the water cycle.Planting in zones
Planting for hydro zones
Group plants with similar water requirements in different zones of
your landscape.
W ater-wise hydro zoning
encompasses planting and
landscaping concepts. Ultimately, the aim
and succulent species will thrive in
this zone.
Vezimvelo used Water Wise lavender for the Pinehurst project.
covering 20-40% of the landscape.
is for gardeners to learn the water needs of 1-drop plant zone - Low water usage • Once established, they do not need
different plants and group them in zones in • 1-drop plants originate from regions with watering, except during very hot dry
the garden. between 300-500mm rainfall per year. spells.
• Make this hydro zone the largest,
No-water zone covering from 30-80% of the landscape. 3-drop plant zone - High water usage
• Make this hydro zone 10-30% of the • All succulents are ‘one drop’ plants and • 3-drop plants originate in regions with
landscape. need no extra water. between 750mm and 1000mm rainfall per
• Plants in this zone come from areas with year.
less than 300mm of rainfall per year. 2-drop plant zone - Moderate water usage • Keep this hydro zone as small as possible,
• Lay permeable rather than non-permeable • 2-drop plants originate in regions with covering 10-20% of the landscape.
paving where-ever possible in this zone. between 500-750mm rainfall per year. • Once established they need regular
• Established local indigenous trees, shrubs • Keep this hydro zone relatively small, watering throughout the year.
Water Wise guide to plants Leslie Hoy (Rand Water) developed the 3-drop system to guide the choice of correct
plants for each of the three hydro zones by analysing extensive databases.
1-drop plants Pelargonium (Pelargonium White stinkwood (Celtis africana) Climbers
Group these 1-drop plants together: peltatum) Wild plum (Harpephyllum caffrum) Black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia
Pink gaura (gaura lindheimeri) alata)
Trees Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ Shrubs Brazilian jasmine (Mandevilla
All aloes Red hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria) Beach sage (Salvia africana- sanderi)
Baobab (Adansonia digitata) Silver arctotis (Arctotis venusta) lutescens) Clematis
Camel thorn (Acacia erioloba) Stalked bulbine (Bulbine frutescens) Bush violet (Barleria obtusa) Climbing roses
Common cabbage tree (Cussonia Trailing ice plant (Lampranthus Camellia
paniculata) spectabilis) Confetti bush (Coleonema Groundcovers
Hook thorn (Acacia caffra) pulchrum) Carpet geranium (Geranium
Karee (Searsia lancea) Groundcovers Crane flower (Strelitzia regina) incanum)
Monkey thorn (Acacia galpinii) Lambs ear (Stachys byzantina) Golden daisy (Euryops pectinatus) Erigeron daisy (Erigeron
Pompon tree (Dais cotinifolia) Snow-in-summer (Cerastium Hibiscus karvinskianus)
Sweet thorn (Acacia karroo) tomentosum) Honeyball bush (Freylinia tropica) Mondo grass (Ophiopogon
Tree aloe (Aloe bainesii) Sour fig (Carpobrotus deliciosus) Num-num (Carissa macrocarpa) japonicus)
Wild olive (Olea europaea subsp. Vygies (Mesembryanthemum spp.) Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)
africana) Pride-of-De-Kaap (Bauhinia galpinii) 3-drop plants
Climbers Group these 2-drop plants together:
Shrubs Star jasmine (Trachylospermum Perennials
Aloe (all species) jasminoides) Agapanthus (Agapanthus praecox) Trees
Bougainvillea Asparagus fern (Protasparagus Flowering cherry trees (Prunus spp.)
Cape Honeysuckle (Tecomaria 2-drop plants densiflorus) Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)
capensis) Group these 2-drop plants together: Blue statice (Limonium perezzi) Swamp cypress (Taxodium
Gold dust plant (Aucuba japonica) Cape thatching reed distichum)
Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) Trees (Chondropetalum tectorum) White pear (Apodytes dimidiata)
Lion’s ear (Leonotus leonurus) Boerbean (Schotia brachypetala) Daylilies (Hemerocallis cultivars)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Buffalo thorn (Ziziphus mucronata) Fairy crassula (Crassula multicava) Shrubs
Sacred bamboo (Nandina domestica) Bushwillow (Combretum zeyheri) Gazania (Gazania uniflora) Azalea
White bauhinia (Bauhinia natalensis) Coastal silver oak (Brachylaena Hen & chicken (Chlorophytum Tree fuchsia (Halleria lucida)
Wormwood (Artemisia afra) discolor) comosus)
Coral tree (Erythrina lysistemon) Honey marguerite (Euryops Perennials
Perennials Highveld cabbage tree (Cussonia virgineus) Baby’s tears (Soleirolia
Cone flower (Echinacea purpurea) spicata) Kingfisher daisy (Felicia amelloides) soleirolii)
Heartleaf iceplant (Aptenia Kei apple (Dovyalis caffra) Red hot poker (Kniphofia praecox) Falling stars (Crocosmia aurea)
cordifolia) Lavender tree (Heteropyxis Wild garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) White arum (Zantedeschia
Honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida) natalensis) Wild iris (Dietes grandiflora) aethiopica)
The key design principle of a Water Wise landscape is to group plants with similar
water requirements in the same area. 11Create practical turf zones
Plants for golf courses
Discover how plants can improve water conservation
on golf courses.
B est management practices
for water conservation can be
described as the combination of proper
planted up with
indigenous
Cynodon
plant selection and cultural maintenance transvaalensis
practices that provide adequate turf ‘Gulf Green’.
quality for the game of golf. Plant Golf Data planted up the Leopard Creek Country Club practice facility with indigenous
Cynodon grasses and makes use of natural areas.
choice is critical for the out of play areas • Remove invasive
(low water usage plants), the fairways species. Replace
(medium water usage areas), as well waterholic
as greens and tees (high water usage invasive trees
areas). with indigenous
trees from the
• Use low water turf grasses. Select region. Superb
and install drought-resistant turf examples of golf
grass. Use species adapted to the courses who
rainfall of the local area. For example, have succeeded
replace waterholic kikuyu with in a monumental
Cynodon varieties which are best endeavour to
adapted to the local environmental remove over 600 Buffer zones with natural vegetation have been defined by Servest around the dams at the
conditions and need less water. tonnes of invasive Eye of Africa Golf and Lifestyle Estate in Eikenhof, Johannesburg.
Cyndodon varieties were chosen biomass from their
for the Leopard Creek Country Club courses are Mossel
practice facility by Golf Data and the Bay Golf Course
Eye of Africa Golf Course by Servest. and Plettenberg
Cynodon dactylon was also used Bay Country Club.
at Blair Atholl golf course in 2012.
The course uses 700 000 - 1 million • Establish planted
litres a day, whereas kikuyu over the buffer zones.
equivalent fairway area would need Maintain herbicide,
2-2.5 million litres a day.1 fungicide,
pesticide and Low water usage indigenous coastal forest has been preserved in the rough at Zimbali
• Increase the size of natural fertiliser-free buffer Country Club and Golf Course in KwaZulu-Natal.
vegetation areas. Embark on a zones around all
programme to plant up all out-of- surface water, including wetlands cleans water moving through the site.
play areas with low water usage and dams. Transition zones grasses It can also offer habitats for wildlife
plants. This includes the clubhouse that receive no fertilisers act as buffer and plant species. River Club Golf
and parking areas. Reduce the or filter strips to remove nutrients Club in Sandton successfully planted
quantity of turf grass on a course from excess fertilisation in run-off up and maintain Phragmites australis
by increasing the size of natural before it reaches the water source. and Typha capensis alongside a dam
vegetation areas. Links-style golf Buffer zones also help to reduce the on the course. The plants provide
courses use the Water Wise principle chance of pesticide drift, run-off and nesting sites for the red bishop and
of hydro zoning. leaching into sensitive wetland areas. help to filter the water as it passes
The Atlantic Beach Golf Club A 15m wide buffer zone alongside through the dams and watercourses
situated on the West Coast at watercourses or other bodies of on the River Club course.
Melkbosstrand near Cape Town water is recommended as a minimum
Sources:
is not only a link-style golf club width.2 1
Rand Water Water Wise Guide to Golf Courses,
that was designed around the 2013. www.randwater.co.za
endangered fynbos vegetation, • Use plants to clean water. A golf 2
Best management practices for golf courses.
but the tees and fairways are course can be a green lung that Environmental Institute for Golf, 2012. www.eifg.org.
Golf courses and the environment co-exist in nature. It is our obligation to
develop them responsibly and to preserve the natural habitat for the beauty of
12 the game”. – Greg Norman.Create practical turf zones
Improve
turf irrigation
Five tips and tools needed for improving
turf irrigation on a golf course. Servest’s turf project at the Eye of Africa Golf and Lifestyle Estate included an entire audit of the
irrigation system.
A typical golf course irrigation
system is likely to have in excess
of 500 irrigation heads, kilometres of in-
says Patrick O’Brian1. Compaction
destroys soil structure, impairs rooting,
and increases surface water runoff
volumetric water content of the soil.
They can be used to stretch the
intervals between irrigation and can
ground wiring, a network of underground because soil is less able to accept assist in scheduling a Water Wise
pipes, a powerful pumping station, water. Consequently, compacted soils irrigation programme with greater
and a control system that enables turf require more irrigation. Studies by confidence and accuracy. Irrigation
managers to control when, where, and Dr. Robert Carrow at the University controllers linked to off-site weather
how much water is applied. of Georgia1 have shown that aerating equipment will also assist in reducing
with heavy-duty slicing tines or blades unnecessary watering.
Five tips significantly reduces soil compaction 5. Raise and level irrigation heads.
Consider these five tips for enhancing the creating more channels for air and Correcting low, crooked, sinking or
irrigation programme on a golf course. water movement. In high traffic areas, tilted sprinkler heads will improve
1. Track your water use. You can’t lay pathways for golf carts to avoid irrigation uniformity coverage and
manage what you can’t measure. compaction. help make the best use of water.
This holds true for any golf course 3. Use wetting agents. Wetting agents Irrigation heads sink for a variety of
wishing to embark on a Water conserve water by improving water reasons, including soil settling, traffic
Wise programme. Fit a magnetic or penetration into the soil so that by mowers, thatch build up or top-
inductive water meter that accurately irrigation water is used more efficiently. dressing programmes. The trajectory
measures water use to your pumping Research by Dr Sowmya Mitra at of a water stream emitted by a low
station. Download a water use report California State Polytechnic University1 sprinkler head is disrupted when it
template (http://www.usga.org/course- demonstrated reduced water usage strikes turf grass next to the head. As
care/water-resource-center/water- when wetting agents were injected into the stream of water breaks apart, turf
management-plans.html) and track irrigation lines. nearest the sprinkler becoming too wet
water use by day, month and year. 4. Use soil moisture sensors. and the turf farther away becoming too
Once you have the data, evaluate the “In-ground, wireless soil moisture dry. Proper sprinkler head setup and
efficiency of your water use on sensors are a great way for golf spacing ensures the best delivery and
different turf species, at different times facilities to better monitor soil moisture use of water.
of the day or in different weather. and extend intervals between irrigation
2. Reduce soil compaction. “Soil events”, says O’Brian. Soil moisture Sources:
compaction is the enemy of an sensors more accurately report soil 1
Tips and Tools to Reduce Water Use, by Patrick
efficient water conservation plan on moisture status compared to visual O’Brien. Green Section Record, Vol. 52 (1)
golf course fairways and roughs”, examination. Sensors measure the January 10, 2014.
Rain sensors and soil moisture probes are used by Golf Data at The Country Club Johannesburg, Woodmead in their Water Wise irrigation programme.
In South Africa, there are an estimated 500 000 golfers who play on 500 golf
courses all year round. – Rand Water Water Wise Guide to Golf Courses, 2013. 13Protect your soil
Keeping
water
in the soil
Using mulch is a water retention
Water Wise feature in a landscape of stone and mulch Mulch on deck. Double Gold for Bidvest Top Turf at Sasol Head
strategy that is the foundation of
bark. Office. Water Wise landscaping.
A healthy soil retains water.
Improve your soil quality by
adding organic matter such as compost
Why is mulch important?
• It insulates the soil helping to
provide a buffer from heat and cold
shells, bark nuggets, wood chips and
autumn leaves. Organic mulches need
to be topped up regularly.
which will improve the moisture and temperatures. • Inorganic mulches. These are
nutrient holding capacity of the soil. • It retains water helping to keep the substances or materials that do
Compost also provides food for roots moist. not break down and enrich the soil,
earthworms, which improves soil • It keeps weeds out to help prevent root but help keep moisture in the soil.
aeration and water penetration. competition. Examples are gravel, pebbles, stone
Earthworms can consume their own chips and pavers. As they can store
body weight in organic matter, daily. Three types of mulch heat they need to be used judiciously;
Their castings (excreta) are rich • Organic mulches. These come from they are most suitable in shady areas.
in nitrates and available forms of plant and animal sources and are • Living mulches. Ground covering plants
potassium, phosphorous, calcium and the best sort of mulch because, as serve the exact same purpose as other
magnesium. they break down, they enrich the soil. types of mulch, and may be preferable
In small areas, mix polymers into Examples are compost, fruit pips, nut for aesthetic reasons. Low water usage
the soil. Both organic and inorganic ground covers are the best choice and
polymers act like small sponges in the include any 1 Drop Water Wise species.
soil. They swell up with water ten times How thick should
Seven benefits of mulch
their size when moisture is applied to
the soil and slowly release the moisture
mulch be? • Mulch reduces soil temperature, so
to the soil. less water is lost to evaporation.
Covering healthy soil with a layer For loamy soils: • It promotes good root growth by
of mulch is an essential aspect of Organic retaining moisture in the root zone.
Water Wise landscaping. Mulching Wood chips 50-100mm • It suppresses water-consuming weed
dramatically reduces water loss from Sawdust 20-75mm growth by keeping out the light.
the soil due to evaporation, so that Shredded bark 50-100mm • Mulch provides winter protection
less frequent watering is required. Chunk bark 50-120mm in cold climates, preventing frost
Which mulch to choose and the depth Pine needles 20-75mm damage to roots.
of the applied mulch depends on the Leaves 20-100mm • It reduces exposure to wind, which
landscape theme, availability of various Lawn clippings 20mm at a time results in less moisture loss through
mulches and the local climate. Straw 50-120mm evaporation.
Mulch is any substance that can Straw manure 50-100mm • It controls erosion by softening the
be placed on the surface of the soil Compost 50-100mm impact of falling water and slowing it
around plants in order to keep moisture down so that it can soak into the soil
in the soil. Mulch is one of the quickest, Inorganic before running off.
easiest and most cost-effective ways Gravel 20-75mm • As the mulch decomposes it becomes
to save water in your garden. There Crushed stone 20-75mm an excellent source of food for the
are three types of mulch that you can Sand 20-50mm bacteria and organisms living in the
explore. soil, enhancing the soil quality.
“Water conservation is necessary along the whole water value chain.”
14 – Christine Colvin, WWF.Protect your soil
Why choose organic mulch?
• Organic mulch eventually breaks
down and improves the quality and
water-holding capacity of soil near
the surface.
Fallen leaves Grass clippings Compost
• Mulched soils do not need digging,
as micro-organisms and earthworms
do all the work.
• Partially decomposed compost
makes excellent organic mulch and
is particularly appropriate and cost
effective for businesses where the Pine nuggets Wood shavings Pebbles
establishment of a compost heap
made from kitchen and garden waste
is viable.
Tips for organic mulch use
Do you want to know how to use
mulch?
- Organic mulches must at least be Macadamia shells Peach pips Terracotta shards
5-8cm thick for normal soil and
8-12cm for a sandy soil. With clay
soils 2-4cm is sufficient under normal
conditions.
- During dry or cold periods the level of
mulch needs to be thicker than during
wet periods to protect plant roots.
- As organic mulches break down in
the decay process, they need to be
replenished. Compost decomposes
in two to four months, whereas bark
chips last about two years before
being broken down.
- In spring, after the last frost, it may Gemstones Veld grass Bark chips
be necessary to pull mulch back from
emerging plants, especially small
perennials. “The combination of the landscape fabric and the mulch
- When applying organic mulch, make
sure that it does not touch the stem
stops the light getting to the soil and slows or stops
or trunk of the plants. germination and growth of weeds”.
Calculate how much mulch to buy
For a 10cm deep mulch, 25 x 30dm bags of mulch will cover 7,5m, one bag will cover 0,3m.
For a 7,5cm deep mulch, 25 x 30dm bags of mulch will cover 9m, one bag will cover 0,36m.
For a 5cm deep mulch, 25 x 30dm bags of mulch will cover 15m, one bag will cover 0,6m.
For a 2,5cm deep mulch, 25 x 30dm bags of mulch will cover 30m, one bag will cover 1,2m.
To calculate how many cubic metres of mulch you need:
• Measure the area in metres: Thus: 3 X 3 = 9m2 (A)
• Calculate what depth of mulch you want in cm? 5cm
• Divide cm by 100 to get measurement in metres: Thus: 0.05metres (B)
• Multiply A by B: Thus: 9 X 0.05 = 0.45(C)
• This last measurement C is the number of cubic metres you need.
Designing with mulch in the Water Wise Garden, Walter
• If you buy mulch in 30dm bags, 33 bags = 1 cubic metre of mulch.
Sisulu NBG.
“Ruthlessly clearing beds of fallen plant material is a hopelessly outdated prac-
tice. A 5cm layer of leaf litter reduces evaporation by 45-65%”
– Morné Faulhammer.
15Efficient irrigation
Designing
efficient
irrigation
Pic: Karen Richards.
Tips for designing Water
Wise irrigation and
choosing the right system. Double Gold for Countryline Africa for Waterfall City Park.
“A Water Wise irrigation system
is a complex network of pipes,
sprinklers, valves, controllers, electric control
watering than north and west exposures.
• Identify slopes on the plan to aid choices
of pumps and piping in the system design.
quantify water used. Link the controller to
a rain sensors, soil moisture sensors and
a weather station either by wireless radio
wiring, filters, pumps and accessories. Slopes need to be irrigated more slowly (wifi) or electrical cables.
Designing it correctly is critical to success”. than flat surfaces. • From a Water Wise perspective, drip
Landscape Irrigation Association (LIA) of • Quantify the water quality, flow capacity irrigation is preferable to sprinklers and
South Africa. and pressure per hour from your water lawn pop up systems. Why?
source. Drip irrigation:
Every Water Wise irrigation project goes • Develop a detailed drawing showing the - Delivers water directly into the soil.
through five phases: design, product choice, position of dripline or sprayline piping, Micro sprinklers lose water droplets to
installation, commissioning and maintenance. mainline piping, solenoid valves, emitters, wind and evaporation.
Start by appreciating the importance of Water sprinklers, storage tanks, water sources - Can reduce water consumption by as
Wise design and choosing the right irrigation and pumps. much as 60 percent (MIT, 2017)
system. • When designing consider aspects such - Emits 1.6 litres of water per hour,
as distribution uniformity and irrigation whereas a sprinkler system emits 2-7
Design tips efficiency. litres per minute.
• Plant your irrigation to suit the landscape • Never programme to water beyond field - Is particularly good for mulched areas
hydro zones of the design. capacity, otherwise nutrients will be because it does not wash away the
• Choose an appropriate system for the leached from the root zone, plants will mulch.
watering requirements of plants. Turf areas develop shallow root growth and you will - Never wets foliage, reducing the threat
are irrigated differently from shrub borders. get fungal infections. of fungal attack to plants.
• Choose the plants to be irrigated. Design • Plan to capture and reuse water runoff. - Can get into awkwardly shaped and
emitters around the drip line of trees where Capture storm water runoff in ponds and narrow areas. Conventional sprinklers
the roots are, rather than next to the trunk. pump it back into the system where it can waste water by over-lapping spray
• Design an irrigation system that takes be reused for the next cycle of irrigation. circles.
into account future growth to avoid any • Link a rain sensor to the automatic - Is slowly becoming cheaper on
shadowing or blocking effects as plants controller to ensure that irrigation will account of the availability of low
mature. automatically switch off during rainy pressure emitters.
• Consider areas of prolonged shade, high periods.
wear and tear or areas subject to digging Source:
or mechanical disturbance. System choice Pulkit Shamshery et al. Modeling the future of irrigation:
• Evaluate the site’s soil type, topography • Controllers: For Water Wise irrigation A parametric description of pressure compensating drip
and microclimatic influences. South and choose a computerised irrigation irrigation emitter performance, PLOS ONE (2017). MIT
east exposures need less frequent controller as it will help you to sustainably News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), 2017.
Pic: Lukas Otto.
Drip irrigation remains the most Water Wise of all irrigation systems.
“Installing low pressure drippers in drip irrigation, means not only less water
consumption, but less energy use” – Professor Amos Winter, MIT, USA. 17Grow
Your Own
awn
Indigenous l
Save Water –
plant MayFord drought resistant
indigenous lawn seed
For Full Sun, plant MayFord Princess
• Very latest indigenous, water wise, creeping cynodon hybrid
• Survives on half the water Kikuyu requires and up to 29% less than other
cynodon varieties
For Shade areas, plant MayFord LM (Berea)
• Shade and heat tolerant indigenous, water wise, creeping LM
• Survives on 3 hours of direct sunlight per day and recovers from drought and
heat stress by means of its creeping growth habitEfficient Irrigation
Managing water efficiently
How to manage existing irrigation systems
according to Water Wise principles.
M anaging an existing irrigation
system that has already been
installed and commissioned is a
deeply. This
encourages
deep root growth
challenge for all water managers. that sustains the
First, initiate irrigation practices that plant during dry
save water on the site. Secondly, install periods.
meters on main lines and quantify how • If water from a
Irrigation at the African Leadership Academy managed by Rothe Plantscapers.
much water the landscape is using. sprinkler system
Only when you know what water you puddles instead
use on site, can you plan for the future. of sinking into the soil, change the information, email waterwise@
programme to deliver the required randwater.co.za.
Seventeen irrigation tips to help you amount of water in two sessions • If the sky is cloudy, irrigation can be
manage irrigation more efficiently. rather than one session. reduced by as much as 50%.
• Avoid ‘setting and forgetting’ an • Water-train trees and shrubs. By • Avoid irrigating during windy
irrigation controller. Adjust them as gradually changing from frequent weather as high winds blow away
conditions change through seasons shallow watering to less frequent but water delivered by sprinklers and
and climate. deeper watering schedule, permanent evaporation rates are high.
• Check your irrigation system for plants can be ‘trained’ to need less • If you do not have a rain sensor, turn
overall coverage and distribution water. off the system if rain is irrigating the
uniformity. Irrigating paved areas • Water in the early morning or late landscape sufficiently.
results in considerable water waste. afternoon to reduce water loss to • Check all water connections in the
• Monitor sprinkler heads for any evaporation in alignment with any irrigation system at least twice a year
misalignment and adjust the sprinkler water bylaws. for leaks.
heads if necessary. • Adjust the irrigation programme • Replace all worn washers in taps on
• Water only as frequently as your according to the season. Plants need site.
plants need it, but no more than less water during the cool winter • Consider converting overhead
each specific hydro zone. Each hydro season than during the hot summer sprinklers to drip irrigation. This is the
zone has its own water requirements months. most effective way to provide water
and requires a different watering • Make use of a landscape water- directly the root zone.
schedule. use model to determine the site’s • Install water meters to quantify the
• Water less frequently but more proposed water use. For more water usage on site.
Lowering the costs of drip irrigation
“Drip irrigation can reduce water consumption by as much as 60 percent”, says
Amos Winter, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, at Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT), USA.
Drippers in most drip irrigation systems are designed to operate at a pressure of
1 bar. The main cost of drip irrigation lies in the pump and power system needed
to maintain this pressure. Winter says, “This fact laid the foundation for the MIT
research project: Could we make drippers that operate on much lower pressures,
The newly designed pressure-compensating drippers operate
and thus cut the pumping power and the capital costs?” as low as 0.1 bar.
The result of MIT’s research was unveiled in April 2017. A new design of pressure-compensating drippers operate as low as
0.1 bar – one-tenth of the pressure of commercial systems. The new dripper technology halves both the power required to
pump water through the drippers and the capital cost of an off-grid solar-driven drip system.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2017-04-energy-needsfor-irrigation-systemswithin-farmers.html, April 20, 2017 by Jennifer Chu.
“A weekly Water Wise irrigation schedule should include different cycles per week
for all hydro zones, as well as station run times for all four seasons”
– John Gordon, LIA.
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