Maintaining grounds and gardens requires high quantities of water and without a proper strategy, water usage and costs can very quickly add up.
There is a number of intelligent grounds maintenance and landscaping strategies that can be implemented to help conserve water, and combat ever-increasing water costs.
Here are four ways property managers can maximise the water efficiency of their grounds:
Why Consistent Maintenance Is Important
Proper open space maintenance is essential for ensuring irrigation systems run at full efficiency.
Failure to regularly check and maintain the irrigation system can result in a wide range of issues, from water leaks, water-pressure issues and uneven sprays, to loose connections, broken pipes and faulty nozzles.
A consistent maintenance schedule can help ensure these issues are identified and rectified before it becomes too late.
Adjust Watering Schedules Accordingly
Research has found that up to 40 percent of the water used by irrigation systems goes to waste. A significant portion of this waste is due to automatic watering schedules that don’t take into account variables which will affect the levels of water required.
Changing temperatures, wind speed, humidity, rain and hours of sunlight will all have a significant impact on the amount of water required to maintain the health of plants and turf.
Adjusting schedules based on weather conditions can help save water and also improve plant health. Implementing a smart controller which monitors environmental conditions and adjusts the schedule to reflect these conditions can help reduce water usage by up to 30 percent.
What is Xeriscaping?
A popular trend of recent years for conserving water is to xeriscape grounds. Xeriscaping is a form of gardening that uses plants, turf and other gardening practices that can be maintained with minimal amounts of water. Initially made popular in drought affected areas, xeriscaping has become popular throughout the wider community for its financial and environmental benefits.
Xeriscaped grounds not only use up to two thirds less water than regular grounds, but also greatly reduce the amount of maintenance required.
Seek Professional Open Space Services
Enlisting the help of professional landscaping and ground maintenance services is a great way to achieve a highly efficient water irrigation system and provide advice on xeriscaping your grounds.
A professional landscaping service can provide an audit of your current irrigation system and make recommendations for the design and installation of the most efficient irrigation options for your grounds. They can also provide advice on such things like plant selection, turf, paving, soil and anything else that will impact both the look and the efficiency of your grounds.
Employing professional maintenance services will ensure the time and effort spent in developing a water efficient landscape doesn’t go to waste, and grounds are kept in the best condition all year round.
Click here to find out more about professional open space maintenance and landscaping solutions that can help facility managers save time and money.
Water Efficiency in Open Spaces FAQs
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What is water efficiency?
Water efficiency is the practice of using the least amount of water necessary to achieve the desired outcome. In open spaces, this includes smart irrigation, drought-tolerant plant selection, soil improvement, and minimising runoff or evaporation. The goal is to maintain healthy landscapes while reducing water waste, lowering costs, and supporting environmental sustainability.
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What is a water efficiency test?
A water efficiency test assesses how effectively water is being used across a landscape or system. It may involve checking irrigation uniformity, identifying leaks, measuring soil moisture, and evaluating plant water needs. These tests help pinpoint inefficiencies and guide improvements to irrigation schedules, equipment, and overall water management strategies.
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What is water use efficiency in plants?
Water use efficiency in plants refers to how effectively a plant converts water into growth. It measures the balance between water absorbed and biomass produced. Plants with high water use efficiency require less water to thrive, making them ideal for open spaces where conservation is important, especially in drought-prone or water-restricted environments.
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What are the 3 R’s of water conservation?
The 3 R’s of water conservation are Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Reduce involves minimising water use through efficient practices. Reuse focuses on using captured or greywater for irrigation. Recycle refers to treating wastewater so it can be safely used again. Together, these principles support sustainable water management in open spaces and commercial landscapes.
