The Garden Tune Up program, delivered in collaboration with the local irrigation industry, is helping Power and Water’s customers make significant water savings.
The Garden Tune Up program, delivered in collaboration with the local irrigation industry, is helping Power and Water’s customers make significant water savings. The Garden Tune Ups by irrigation experts and are focused on giving gardens the water they need when they need it, offering water efficient gardening advice and also include a small budget for quick irrigation repairs.
The program has helped over 1500 customers across Darwin reduce their water use, saving many homeowners, businesses and government properties hundreds of dollars per year and has now been extended to Katherine..
Living Water Smart Program Manager Jethro Laidlaw said that expressions of interest were sought from local industry and the response was overwhelming. .
“Over 50 irrigation experts put up their hand to become a supplier through our program and some 30 local businesses are now accredited and involved”, Mr Laidlaw said.
Irrigation experts with at least 12 months experience working in the industry applied and underwent a one day training course to participate in the Garden Tune Up program. They are now qualified to undertake audits of both small and large properties to assess irrigation use and provide recommendations to save water.
Technology has contributed significantly to the program’s success – the use of an online GIS mapping tool allows the data on a phone or iPad, which is sent back to Power and Water and enables them to provide on-the-spot advice to customers
“The service is at no cost to the customer. Power and Water funds the to undertake assessments and also allows for a small quick repair budget per visit. This may allow for repair of a leak in the irrigation pipe or replacement of a valve or similar,” said Mr Laidlaw.
In a previous audit of 700 Darwin households, Power and Water found that some 70 per cent of residential water use is in the garden or through leaks.
The program is being further refined to enable to also provide advice on plant selection – which plants use less water and how to arrange gardens so that plants with similar water needs are co-located.
“We’re ultimately trying to make it as easy as possible for the customers. Our technology will also soon be able to send follow up emails to the customers participating in a Garden Tune Up, congratulating them on their water savings or reminding them of what they can do to make further savings.”
Find out more how to participate in the Garden Tune Up program.
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