Our Water-Recycling Scheme: Ensuring Sustainable Growth
At David Austin®, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Through our BLOOM initiative, we are committed to caring for the environment and ensuring our roses thrive. One of the key ways we achieve this is through our water-recycling scheme.
Two Reservoirs and a Stream
On-site, we have two reservoirs and a nearby stream. Together, these vital resources provide the water our roses need. Our water capture and recycling system collects 60 to 80% of the rainwater and excess irrigation water that falls on our nursery, and in total supplies over 90% of the water we use each year.
The combined capacity of our two reservoirs and the stream is an impressive 126,000 cubic metres of water, equivalent to filling about 50 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
How We Recycle Water
Our water recycling process is simple: we collect rainwater from our buildings, along with surplus irrigation water used for our roses. After filtering and treating, we store it in our two reservoirs for reuse.
To ensure high water quality, we test pH levels weekly and check for harmful pathogens. Because of the size of our main reservoir, we even use a dinghy to collect water samples.
When it's time to water our roses, the water flows from the top reservoir through a siphon to a holding tank. From there, it is gravity-fed back to our roses, ensuring efficient use of every drop. We also use a copper dosing machine to treat the water, effectively removing harmful spores that could affect our roses.
Once treated, the water is distributed throughout our nursery to keep our plants healthy.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
Our commitment to sustainability is more than just a policy; it's woven into our daily operations. Under our BLOOM initiative and water recycling scheme, we work diligently to protect the environment while nurturing our roses. At David Austin®, we take pride in leading the way in sustainability: growing roses that bloom beautifully for years, while caring for the planet.
BLOOM is Our Promise to Grow Responsibly
For people, for the planet, and for future generations of gardeners. Rooted in care and guided by purpose, it brings all our social and environmental commitments under one thoughtful plan.