In Perth, we are in a privileged postion regarding water supply.
In effect we have fresh water where there shouldn't be that much. We are on the edge of a huge desert, in a place where it may not rain for months, yet there seems to be no shortage of the stuff. This, as those in the know will tell you, is largely down to the aquifer way beneath the city, which is now being tapped at an extraordinary rate.
A natural resource to be tapped as if it was an oil well, some have said.
But this is no longer an infinite resource. Thanks to massive population growth, that well of plenty is being used up. It cannot and will not last.
Coming from a land that many regard as permanently wet, I am continually shocked by the wastage of water in WA. Despite my Northern European roots, I am well travelled throughout the world and have visited many "dry" lands in my time. Seeing how water is wasted here came as something of a shock. Visit the southern coasts of Spain and gasp in wonder at the barren land turned green by golf courses and parks. Visit Las Vegas, that city in the desert and marvel at a similar scene. This water has to come from somewhere. In Spain's case, it's from the mountainous regions that back the coast. There, rivers run dry & farm land turns to dust as a consequence. In Las Vegas, rivers that were previously torrents, now run dry before they reach the sea.
But because WA is not stealing from Peter to pay Paul, is that any reason to squander this valuable resource?
I'm sure we've all seen the reticulation (irrigation) systems pumping fresh water onto pristine, green lawns......and over paths, and streets and (I spotted last night) even straight down the storm drains. Add to that those that seem intent on ignoring the legislation and watering their gardens on any day of the week, often around 12 noon, which as we all know, is by far the best time to water (or so these people seem to think!).
Is this really the best use of a resource that other parts of the country would be crying out for?
Legislation for water rationing is in its infancy here and currently seems to lack any bite. On the rare occasions that there has been water rationing in the UK (yes, it does happen), people would be prosecuted for abusing the system.
And I'm afraid that's what has to happen here. Unpopular though this will be, the ONLY way that people are going to take the new legislation seriously, is to enforce it and to publicise that enforcement. Which means water patrols, in the same way that Rangers would patrol the streets to keep them safe.
Personally, I try to reduce the usage of water in any garden that I design. But we need plants and those plants need water, so I use plants (including WA natives) that can survive on little water during the dry season.
Water features are a common requirement in a garden design. Nothing is more soothing or cooling, on a hot day, than the sound of running water. Visit the Alhambra Palace in southern Spain, with a climnate very similar to WA, and you will hear the sound of running water almost everywhere you go. But little water is actually on display. Where is it? Well in the handrails of that staircase you just climbed, is one example. It is possible to get the beneficial effects of water without actually using that much.
Consequently, I hope, in the near future, to start manufacturing water features that are specifically designed to keep water loss to a minimum.
And don't forget the swimming pool. Evaporation from pools, of whatever shape or size, can be massive. Personally, I believe that pool covers should be compulsory, in exactly the same way as pool fences are.
And one final word for those that think I shouldn't just blame the gardener. I quite agree. Industry & leisure (both massive consumers of water) need to be similarly policed.
I often wonder why the local golf course needs its sprinklers on in mid afternoon!
Water is a valuable commodity. Please don't waste it !
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