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Irrigation and fittings

Good quality garden tap fittings save water because they are less likely to break or drip. One of our water efficiency tips is to water roots, not leaves. Dripper irrigation systems, which deliver water at or below the ground surface, are therefore more efficient than spray irrigation systems which disperse water above the ground surface.

Irrigationandfittings
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There is a wide range of irrigation systems available. MP Rotator technology has significantly reduced water use on lawns however overhead watering is not particularly efficient for gardens and garden beds. 

As mentioned above, drip irrigation systems are more water efficient because they deliver water directly to the root system, don’t cause overspray and prevent excess surface evaporation. 

Drip irrigation is also better suited to other water efficiency measures. Most experts recommend mulch for water efficient gardens but unfortunately a spray irrigation system operating above fine mulch will only water the mulch - not the plants - and most of the water is likely to be lost to evaporation or absorbed by the mulch rather than the soil below.

Regardless of the system it is important to only water in the early morning and at dusk when temperatures are lower and evaporation is less.

Water restrictions only apply to mains drinking water. You can use your rainwater or greywater quite efficiently with available technology and they are not affected by water restrictions. However, be careful about using greywater in drip irrigation systems unless it has been well filtered. If the greywater is not filtered, it is likely the irrigation systems will block up very quickly. Greywater should be applied by subsurface drip systems only.
 
A digital watering timer can also significantly reduce the amount of water used particularly for sprinkler systems where even a few minutes can use thousands of litres. 
 
Before using greywater, you should consult your local council to ensure you comply with any local regulations.