Episode: #9 28/10/06
Presenter: Dean Boone

From the very beginning, Eden Gardens have aspired to the best practices in water management and water harvesting. The entire site at North Ryde is a giant water recycling system and shows, on a grand scale, what can be done with a little planning.

Everywhere you look, Eden collects its rainfall. The roof, car park, driveway and every paved surface is part of the collection system. In fact 95% of all rainfall that lands on the nursery goes into the water recycling system.

Below ground there is an intricate system of pipes and tanks. Imagine giant underground swimming pools collecting and filtering the water. The system is designed to be smart, eco friendly and positively the best use of every available drop.

The water isn?t sparkling clear when it is collected; in fact it has to go through 3 separate filtration processes before it can be reused. The water, when gathered, has a variety of pollutants from the air as well as excess nutrients from the nurseries run-off.

You will see a variety of open water courses that are both great to look at and full of plants. These plants are an essential part of the water recycling process, taking up much of the nutrients and contaminants, like salt, found in the water.

All over the nursery you will also find lawn drainage swales. These swales collect the water runoff and filter through layers of earth. It again connects into the main water system. It then flows across Eden Gardens through a variety of water cascades.

The whole site is a great example of combining function and form. Water recycling isn?t just about pipes and tanks. Aerating the water is done in the most pleasing of ways. The water features throughout Eden are all a part of the beautiful water recycling system.

You may be wondering where all this water ends up. Eden Gardens can collect 1.25 million litres and it all comes into an amazing tank. It too circulates the water and has plants that filter silently and efficiently. Then, it is all pumped back up to the top to start the journey again.

All of these Water sensitive design ideas can be used at home, maybe not on the same grand scale, but the principles remain the same. My advice, to you, is to make the most of every rain drop. Water is a valuable asset. Why not come along to Eden and hear the frogs croaking.

www.edengardens.com.au

Eden Gardens
Cnr Lane Cove and Fontenoy Roads,
North Ryde NSW 2113
info@edengardens.com.au
Ph 02 9491 9900
Fax 02 9491 9911