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Water & Lawns

by Victorian Coalition for Sustainable Water Use (VicSWU) VicSWU consists of: Australian Seed Federation Irrigation Association of Australia Lawnmowing Contractors of Victoria Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria Outdoor Power Equipment Association Turf Producers Association of Victoria Turfgrass Association of Australia (Victoria) VicSWU's point is: If gardeners are advised of the best grasses and their management, the amount of water used could be reduced in all years of normal water availability. This would leave more water for years of reduced availability and allow the continued watering of lawns up to, but not including, Phase 4 (no watering) of drought response plans. Mr David Downie of the Water Sector Group, suggested that VicSWU should do further work on the amount of water required for lawns, recommended turf types and consumer attitudes towards gardening during times of water restrictions. This material reports on that work. We fully recognize the need to conserve water. Our earlier submission showed that the provision of some water for lawns would produce sufficient positive social, environmental and economic return to warrant the allocation. Our submission states: Australians like lawns There is misconception the amount of water that lawns need. During droughts Australians are prepared to reduce the water allocated to lawns to the minimum that keeps them alive. Proposed Victorian Uniform Water Restrictions no lawn watering in Stages 2, 3 & 4. Lawns should be treated the same as gardens. (ie no water in Stage 4) Focus on conservation rather than regulation. Recommended Turf Varieties & Management (by Phil Ford, senior turf lecturer at NMIT, highly qualified & experienced local turf expert completing a Masters project on the use of water on a range of grasses in Melbourne. The complete paper is available from Vic SWU). There are over ten different grass species that can be used as lawns in Victoria. You can choose a species based on soil type, the amount of traffic and shade, taste for colour and fineness. Species require different amounts of water in summer, but all turfgrass can be allowed to dry out to visible stress before watering is required. This does no harm, as long as the watering occurs within the next day or so. Moisture stress shows as a darkening of the turf; leaves curl and wilt. Walking on the grass may leave footprints, as wilted leaves don't spring back up. Allowing moisture stress before watering will minimise water use in summer, and encourages grass to grow deeper roots. A lawn should then be given a good long drink. For most systems this will be over 30-mins watering. Ensure water penetrates and doesn't simply run off the surface. If the grass doesn't recover colour and growth the next day, or patches don't recover quickly, there may be other problems (eg grubs or water repellent soil). Information for gardeners needs to highlight the availability of such further information as: If by following this guide you cannot maintain a healthy lawn, please consult an Irrigation, Nursery or Outdoor Power Equipment Specialist Selection of most appropriate sprinkler types should be done in consultation with an irrigation specialist. Application rates are approximate only. To measure actual application rate, place a container in the lawn or garden area and turn sprinklers on. Time how long it takes to fill the container to a level of 10mm. This is the time you should be watering. For further advice contact an irrigation specialist, (under Irrigation & Reticulation in the Yellow Pages). Total recommended watering times based on an application of approximately 10mm per watering. Total actual watering times depend on emitter flow rate and spacing. Total watering times may need to be split into several shorter waterings, with a rest time of 60mins between the applications to allow the soil to fully absorb the water. Maximum number of watering days per week are based on Melbourne historical rainfall and evaporation data and therefore should be used as a guide only. You will need to adjust to suit current local conditions. Please ensure that you comply with the Permanent Water Conservation Rules. Further information on "Urban Irrigation best practise guidelines" is available from the Irrigation Association of Australia website: www.irrigation.org.au. Partnering the Government in conserving water and maintaining lawns VicSWU is particularly encouraged by a Western Australian Paper, "Marketing Water & Turf" given at the Turf Producers Australia National Conference Fremantle 2006 (by John Brennan, Water Efficiency Planner, Water Corporation, E: john.j.brennan@watercorporation.com.au (08) 9420 2575). It considers needing a "dramatic change in the garden watering behaviour of 1.5 million consumers, many withoutt experience of water restrictions and whose reaction to demands to limit their use of water was unknown. Could turf still be marketed in this situation?"

The paper: Reviewed customer research which "showed that they greatly valued their lawns and gardens and would not respond well to putting them at risk." Reported on the "strong association with the key garden/green industry groups, specially the turf industry over many years, and was therefore acutely aware of the potentially disastrous consequences of a total sprinkler ban on these businesses." Reported on the establishment "of a Garden Industry Reference Group. This group was brought together with the aim of exchanging views and information, and coordinating community education efforts. From the Corporation's perspective it was vital for these industries to remain "on-side", even in the face of what was undeniably a major threat to them." Noted the "estimated numbers employed in the garden industry and the value of the industry to the Western Australia economy." Noted that "the Garden Industry Reference Group determined to do all within its power to work with the Corporation to avoid a total sprinkler ban." The paper presents the following conclusion: "How do we assess the effectiveness of the campaign? Satisfying the primary objective, which was to save 45 GL of water each year, is the obvious measure of success. However, there are a number of less obvious indicators that are also powerful measures. When compared to the Eastern States a turf/garden industry that is still intact and operating viably. A turf/garden industry that recognises the need to re-focus their businesses. A high degree of compliance by the community with the restriction regime. A community that still supports restrictions, in the fifth summer support for restrictions is running at 93%. Turf can be marketed in times of water restriction so long as there is a positive working relationship between the turf industry and the water utility. The turf industry must aggressively support the utility by promoting proper turf selection, installation and maintenance. Turf suppliers must give good advice to their customers regarding water restrictions and how the exemption period from restrictions operates. The water utility must become involved in turf research that considers the water efficiency of turf, turf genotypes suited to local conditions and turf watering regimes. The water utility must support the turf industry by making available to the general public appropriate booklets/pamphlets etc. on water efficient gardening. Finally and most importantly, the utility must support the turf industry by having open channels of communication and responding to concerns in a positive manner." WA's experience provide leads to partnership arrangements between DSE, water utilities, the turf industry and the public. Attitudes towards gardening during times of water restrictions A Nursery and Garden Industry of Australia paper, by Richard Stephens from Yellow House Consulting, "Water restriction effects on gardeners, and how to respond" also provides a solid base on which to argue for changes to Victoria's Drought Response Plan. A study "Gardening behaviour and attitudes in the context of water restrictions" was completed in February 2004 by Michael Brownlee & Jill Stephens from Creative Dialogue Pty Ltd. The study found that "gardening behaviour and attitudes are changing as a result of water restrictions." It found however that "mandatory water restrictions are having a negative effect on the pleasure and enjoyment aspect of the garden and gardening, ...." The study continued, "Australians are generally compliant to mandatory water restrictions. However, as always, there are variations in attitudes, ... Water restrictions are more readily accepted in areas where they have been in place for longer. However, despite an overall high level of acceptance of water restrictions, many householders are cynical towards local councils, governments and some businesses that are perceived as regularly wasting water such as watering parks and gardens during the day, leaky pipes and business regularly washing infrastructure or equipment." The study reviewed strategies such as: Mulching; Hardy plants; Wetting agents; Water recycling; Lawn replacement (While 21% of households have replaced or reduced the amount of lawn, most are very reluctant to give up their lawns); Water tanks.

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