BLOG: Changing the way the world waters 

“Do not, my friends, become addicted to water. It will take hold of you, and you will resent its absence!”   Stuart

What would life be like without an adequate supply of freshwater? In the well-known Australian movie, ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’, Immortan Joe has taken control of the only water to be found in the Wasteland, branded it ‘Aqua Cola’, and trades it. For some people, the Wasteland is becoming a reality. A core activity of Husqvarna Group is to ensure a sustainable supply of fresh water.  

Did you know that there is the same amount of water on Earth as there was when the Earth was formed. The water from your faucet could contain molecules that dinosaurs drank! Nearly 97% of the world’s water is salty or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2% is locked in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves just 1% for all of humanity’s needs. According to the United Nations, five billion people, or around two-thirds of the world’s population, will face at least one month of water shortages by 2050. 

How can we help to use this scarce resource more efficiently? At Husqvarna Group we are already the number 1 in the world when it comes to controlled water use for residential gardens, but what if we could extend this position to the commercial and agricultural sector? 

It starts with plants 

70% of freshwater consumption occurs in the process of growing things, which happens to be the core business for two of our divisions. The most scalable way we can affect consumption is with the timing of water deliveries to plants. A typical hose-end nozzle flows at 20 liters per minute, a residential landscape zone flows at 50 liters per minute, a sports field zone 400 liters per minute, and a center pivot 3000 liters per minute. Every minute and each day that we can reduce from the watering schedule has a significant impact on the world’s water consumption.  

Reducing consumption requires smartness, precision, and innovation 

reSmart watering technology consumption by counting rainfall, replenishing only to the root depth, avoiding runoff, and not watering when it is raining, windy or freezing. The recent acquisition of ETwater adds on to our B-hyve and Gardena Smart System capabilities and extends our reach into the commercial space. We now have smart watering controllers which cover every application from hose faucet to residential and commercial landscape zones to sport fields to farms. The installation times for these controllers range from a few minutes to a few hours and require only moderate levels of skill. This means that smart watering technology can be quickly deployed anywhere in the world.  

Another way we reduce consumption is by improving the precision with which water is applied. Each time we design a product we ask ourselves: how will this help minimize water consumption while delivering the best possible green space. Here are a few examples: Our hose-end nozzles with precision-drilled holes ensure optimum droplet size and uniform distribution of those droplets to the plant in a way that minimizes water waste. Our hose-end quick connects have an auto shutoff valve so that water isn’t wasted when changing from a nozzle to a lance. Our new AquaPrecise sprinkler ensures water goes on the landscape and not on the hardscape. Our Micro-Drip-System sprinklers and emitters provide water directly to the plants with no wind drift or runoff. Our flood sensors detect system leaks, automatically shut off the sprinkler controller, and send an alert. Coupled with these innovations, we are also exploring innovative technologies to re-use, store, and more efficiently transport and apply water.  

Becoming trusted advisors  

We recognize, of course, that we cannot achieve optimum water conservation if we do not grow the plants and crops that are suited to the water supply and demand of where they are being grown. The way in which a plant is cultivated and the condition of the soil also determine its water requirements, so there is a close tie-in between smart and precision watering to robotic, battery, and hand tools. Accordingly, we must see ourselves as consultants to consumers and growers about what grows best under different water conditions, and partner closely with agronomists and water agencies to help get the message out about the best plant choices for each region.  

Now, you might question how much impact the combination of smart control, precision technology and the right plant choices can have in the real world? To mention just one example; on one farm in Enterprise, Utah, our technology is helping deliver permanent water savings of 10 billion liters per year. Imagine that spreading across the world! 

At Husqvarna Group we are actively bringing water security to cities and countries by changing the way the world waters and so we invite all of you to join us on our efficient watering journey to make every drop count.   

And…..do not, our friends, become addicted to water. 

Stuart Eyring
CEO Orbit 

Reinhard Pompe
SVP BU Watering, Gardena