The City of Armadale (WA) Parks Department have implemented a 12-month trial of a new water saving device
Gwynne Park was identified as the perfect candidate to trial this new ‘Vortex Generator’ technology, with support from our irrigation contractor New Ground Water Services. The generator acts as a water turbine installed along the irrigation mainline, energising the groundwater which restores both the waters spin velocity and alignment.
That process then increases plant hydration, nutrient uptake, growth rate and an increase in the water percolation rate.
When it rains, everything appears greener, lusher and healthier compared to when watering with general mains or groundwater. This device turns stagnant mains and groundwater into ‘rainwater’, giving that vibrant effect whilst saving water.
The City is expecting to see a water saving of approximately 20 per cent of the total water consumption of the park. We expect to see a greater soil moisture content in the park despite using less water plus improved nutritional uptake of the turf (thus requiring less fertiliser). We expect an overall performance of irrigation due to increased water flow through the main irrigation system, resulting in energy savings.
Initial reports look promising, and despite some challenging weather conditions that saw sparse rainfall and high temperatures, the turf is showing noticeable improvements in soil moisture and consistency. City officers have noticed zero deterioration since installing the generator, even with the reduction in water usage. The velocity of water coming out of the sprinklers is higher than when the original irritation was installed, leading to an increase in sprinkler coverage.
Whilst the trial is still in its early stages, the technology shows great promise and potential for wider implementation across the City.
