Wash Without Water

Saving Water in the

GARDEN

Save Water for a Greener Garden!

Cut-down on the amount of lawn you need to water using pavers or water efficient groundcover plantings.

Grass can survive for long periods without water and will quickly recover when the next rain showers arrive.

Forget the hose and always use a watering can. Make sure the rose is fitted to your watering can.

Watering Cans. If you have to water do so in the early morning or evening when it is cooler to minimize evaporation.

Compost. Recycle your green kitchen waste in a compost bin. Compost provides valuable nutrients and keeps the soil moist.

Don't Hose that Path. Paths, patios and driveways must never be hosed. Use a yard brush, a rake or an outdoor blower for cleaning.

Mulches. Using mulch such as wood chips, bark or gravel will help prevent water evaporation and will suppress weed growth saving water and time weeding. These are especially valuable for shrubs, flowerbeds and new plantings.

Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.

Rainwater is excellent for your garden. Collect it in a water barrel fed from your gutters but always make sure to securely cover large containers for safety. Talk to your local garden centre they will be able to advise you about modern safe water collection systems.

Never use a sprinkler system in your garden.

Weed those Beds. Regularly weed and hoe your garden, to ensure that watering helps your plants and not your weeds.

Spot those Leaks. Regularly check your outdoor taps, pipes and plumbing fixtures for leaks.

Reuse Water. Use a basin in your sink to collect and reuse water for your garden plants.

Trees, Shrubs and Plants. Plant flowers and shrubs that like warm and dry conditions. Your local garden centre can give you advice. Established trees and shrubs do not need to be watered.

Choose shrubs and groundcovers, instead of turf, for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.

Plant in the Autumn when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.

Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still moist 2 inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.

Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped. Raising the lawnmower blades to a higher level will also help stop the grass from scorching in warm weather.

Leaving the clippings on the lawn will protect the roots and returns nutrients to the soil.

When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.

Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.

Collect water from your roof to water your garden.

Rather than following a set watering schedule, check for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering.

Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it's needed.

Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.

Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.

Use a lawer of organic material on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.

Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation, than those spraying water into the air.

Use a rain gauge, or empty tuna can, to track rainfall on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly.

Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute.

Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.

Consult with your local nursery for information on plant selection and placement for optimum outdoor water savings.

Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.

Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, footpath, or street.

Direct water from rain gutters towards water-loving plants in the landscape for automatic water savings.

Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.

Plant with finished compost to add water-holding and nutrient-rich organic matter to the soil.

Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.

Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.

Cut-down on the amount of lawn you need to water using pavers or water efficient groundcover plantings.

Cleaning garden furniture, lawn mowers? Use NOWET and eliminate water use. Safe around plants, completely organic.

Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.

Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather run off the surface.

For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.

Xeriscape means 'to landscape for water conservation.' The idea is to use plants that require less water. You can also utilise objects for decorative effect such as rocks, bricks, benches and gravel.

Screwdriver – Use a long screwdriver as a soil probe to test soil moisture. If you can push it easily into your lawn for several inches, don't water. Proper lawn watering can save thousands of gallons of water annually.

The First Recycler

by Harry Toye

Did you know that into the last glass of water that you sipped?
A dinosaur one day, may have bent down and dipped
A scaly tongue to quench his thirst
Or even lumbered in feet first

As he and his primeval pal recreated
In the prehistoric stream of this life-giving liquid
Which revives the lives today of all women and of men
For it’s the very same water now, as it was way back then.

How can it be that you and me,
Drink the same water again, that they did back then?
Well it’s no fluke or chance of creation
Take a look at this cycle for a simple explanation

The sun warms the ocean and this causes evaporation
Vapours condense into clouds, this causes precipitation
That’s rain to you and me as it falls down from the sky,
But precipitation is not the only reason why

Our streams fill and sometimes overflow,
Becoming rivers as they grow,
Liquid life in poetry of motions
Rivers turn to seas, ebb and flow into the oceans.

For the sun doesn’t just affect the seas and the ocean,
It heats the leaves of our trees and this causes transpiration
Because vapour also rises from the trees,
Clouds form and may even freeze,

In these clouds tiny droplets bounce around,
Fun for them but not for us on the ground
For when they hit each other, they stick together
And this has repercussions for our weather

What goes up must come down
And soon rain or hail will fall on every town
With storm and sleet on every street and gutters overflowing.
Rains lash, puddles splash and before long it’s snowing.

The levels rise in all our lakes,
But then thank God, the cloud breaks
The sun warms the ocean this causes evaporation
And he begins his work again to feed a thirsty nation.

We survey the Earth, water end to end
But it’s the same ole water, recycled again and again
Water, water is everywhere but less than 2% is drinkable,
Preserve, conserve and do take care, because pollution really is unthinkable.
Where to begin is plain to see, action is required by you and me.
  www.nowet.ie

(c)2011. H.Toye.  

Water Pollution

Water Pollution Facts

Water Pollution Fact #1: Water from rain, storm drains, and ditches flows directly to streams and bays with little or no treatment. Storm drains and ditches are DIFFERENT than sewers. They are NOT CONNECTED to a treatment plant.

Water Pollution Fact #2: We all live in a watershed. What you do on your property does affect streams, even if you don’t live on a stream. A watershed is an area of land which drains to the lowest point, usually a stream or bay.

Water Pollution Fact #3: Small amounts of contaminants from all over the land add up to cause pollution in our water. Yes, even the little things matter. You WILL make a difference, no matter how small, if you change the way you do some things.
• Follow the suggestions in this Fact Sheet to minimize your impact on our water.
Water Pollution Fact #4: Failing septic systems pollute. Untreated wastewater from failing septic systems can contaminate nearby streams, drinking water sources, and bays.
• Inspect your septic system every 3-5 years.
• Pump as needed.
Water Pollution Fact #5: Soap from washing your car at home pollutes. Soap and dirt from washing your car can flow through our storm drains and ditches and end up in our streams untreated. Use NOWET.
Water Pollution Fact #6: Soap from charity car washes can pollute if not handled properly. 
Fundraise for your charity car wash with a NOWET waterless car wash programme. No out-of-pocket expenses. Substantial funds can be generated.
• Contact Harry at NOWET fundraiser Program: 0871349014 to inquire.
Water Pollution Fact #7: Oil and antifreeze from leaking cars pollutes. When it rains, water runs over the ground and picks up oil, antifreeze, and other pollutants and carries them to our streams and bays.
• Put a drip tray under your car to catch car leaks.
• Fix car leaks.
Water Pollution Fact #8: Garden and lawn chemicals pollute. Common pesticides and fertilizers have been found in neighborhood streams.
• Pull weeds by hand.
• Avoid use of chemicals. If unavoidable, use sparingly and as directed.
Water Pollution Fact #9: Household cleaners and chemicals can pollute. Cleaners and chemicals used or disposed of outside can end up in our streams and bays. These same cleaners and chemicals can cause harm to septic systems and wastewater treatment plants.
• NOWET is a healthy alternative around the home.
Water Pollution Fact #10: Pet waste pollutes our water. 
• Scoop, double bag, and throw pet waste in the garbage. (NOWET is safe around pets)
Water Pollution Fact #11: Waste from livestock pollutes our water. When it rains, water runs over fields and pastures and can carry harmful bacteria from livestock waste to streams and provides unwanted fertilizer in streams.
• Compost livestock waste.
• Fence livestock from stream access.
Water Pollution Fact #12: Driveways and walkways can be sources of water pollution. Oil, antifreeze, and other pollutants can collect on your driveway. If you hose down the driveway, the water carries all these pollutants to the streams.
• Sweep your driveway and walkways instead of hosing down.
• Use apple vinegar to kill moss on driveways and walkways.
Water Pollution Fact # 13: Lawn clippings and yard waste in ravines and ponds can become unwanted fertilizer for streams. Too much plant growth in streams can use up all the oxygen and kill fish and aquatic life.
• Compost your yard waste.
• Use a mulching mower.
Water Pollution Fact # 14: Too much soil in runoff can pollute. Soil from erosion carries pollutants and smothers salmon eggs in spawning gravel.
• Plant vegetation on or cover bare ground.
• Cover piles of soil.
• Fence livestock from stream access.
Water Pollution Fact # 15: Sewage from boating can pollute. Untreated sewage is a significant risk to human health and wildlife.
• While boating, treat and dispose of your sewage properly.
• Pump your waste holding tanks at pump-out facilities.
• Properly maintain marine sanitation device hoses to prevent clogging and unnecessary odors.
(NOWET ideal for boats-seal reduces barnacles, safe for sea life).
Water Pollution Fact # 16: Boat and engine maintenance can pollute. Toxic chemicals, oils, cleaners, and paint scrapings from boat maintenance can make their way into the water.
• Complete any maintenance involving paints, solvents, or sanding with the boat pulled out of and away from the water.
• Pick-up, don't rinse-off. Use drop cloths, drip pans and vacuums to collect and contain paint, fluids and scrapings associated with maintenance projects.
• Use less toxic or non-toxic cleaning alternatives.
• Use oil absorbent pillows or pads in your bilge to soak up oil.
• Use anti-fouling paints with caution and according to the manufacturer's direction.
No silicone, solvents, chemicals, distillates etc in Nowet.
Water Pollution Fact # 17: Oil and antifreeze pollute our water when disposed of improperly. Oil and antifreeze that are spilled during maintenance or are dumped on the ground can be carried by runoff to our streams and bays.
• Clean up small spills with rags. For larger spills, use absorbent kitty litter and sweep it up with a broom.
• Use drip pans when unclipping hoses, unscrewing filters, or removing other parts.
• Recycle used oil and antifreeze.
Water Pollution Fact # 18: Waste from household repairs can pollute our water. Contractors and service people must properly dispose of chemicals and water used during their work.
• Make sure contractors you hire dispose of chemicals properly.
• Request use of non-toxic products.
Water Pollution Fact # 19: Littering pollutes. Litter thrown on the ground can end up in our storm drains, ditches, and streams.
• Throw all litter in appropriate trash cans.
• Keep litter out of pick up truck beds and cover loads so items aren't blown off to the ground.
• Recycle and reuse items whenever possible.
Water Pollution Fact # 20: The things we do everyday contribute to pollution. Litter thrown on the ground can end up in our storm drains, ditches, and streams.
• Wash your car at on the grass, or a graveled area
or anywhere with NOWET..
• Pull weeds manually or use chemicals sparingly and as directed.
• Scoop, double bag, and throw pet waste in the garbage.
• Inspect your septic system regularly and pump it as needed.

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