1.1

Summary

Financial Benefits

Saves 70% of water
Reduces need for Herbicides & Weedicides
Maximises fertiliser use
Reduces pumping energy needs
Will operate on low head
Invisible system - less susceptible to vandalism
Environmental Advantages
Made from 100% recycled materials
Allows use of ‘Recycled” water
Reduces drain on finite water resources through reduced watering needs
Can be used with dam, bore and river water
Operational Advantages
Fewer Weeds
Less plant disease (such as mildew)
Significant savings in maintenance, support plumbing
(No drippers or sprays to block)
Easy to install and maintain
Uniform water distribution
Uses low cost standard fittings
Ideal for awkward bed configurations
Production Advantages
Water delivered directly to roots
Stronger root growth
Less susceptibility to wilt
No scorching or brown leaves
Has a 5-year guarantee
Can irrigate day or night without fear of burn
Fewer weeds
Reduced insect infestation

1.2

Why Install Leeaky Hose

Water Saving - Money Saving

In the new ‘User Pays’ environment the cost of water is becoming a significant factor in household and business budgeting, though in most instances little can be done to make noticeable cost reductions. Leeaky Hose offers that opportunity to users who do use water outside the house.

Considering that plants in a square metre of garden need on average 3 litres of water per day, and that it takes at least 10 litres from overhead watering to achieve it, saving two thirds of that water does offer an opportunity for savings. In most areas this process of water replacement takes place over the best part of five months each year.

This, in turn, suggests that the average garden needs some 1500 metres per square metre each year.

Currently in Melbourne, this would cost a mere $.0.97 cents in straight water charges per year, to which needs to be added a percentage of the arbitrary assessment for sewerage, which is a further 15 cents per kilolitre.

But the average garden is generally larger than 1 sq. metre - in fact most are nearer 250 square metres (based on a quarter acre block).

Multiplying $1.20 (water cost) x 250 (size of garden) = $300 per year to water the garden.

Installation of Leeaky Hose can reduce this by two/thirds or more.

These savings can be close to doubled if washing machine water or grey water are harnessed to Leeaky Hose (see the relevant section). More than 1000 litres per week are used in the average household washing machine.

1.2.2

Other Benefits

It is now well documented that below ground, or slow release, watering grows healthier and more drought resistant plants. As plants root deeper they pull more natural nutrients from the soil, thus reducing the need for added fertiliser.

When compared with overhead watering methods, plants watered with Leeaky Hose are less susceptible to plant diseases, and there is a noticeable reduction in weed growth.

With maintenance, Leeaky Hose requires less labour as it does not require supervision or adjustment, and is the ideal system for awkward bed sizes.