Affinity extends #WhyNotWater campaign to include garden plant labelling

Affinity Water has added a fifth ‘ask’ to its #WhyNotWater campaign: for the water efficiency labelling of plants.

The move, supported by three of the UK’s most respected national gardens – Kew Gardens, Beth Chatto Gardens, and RHS Wisley – coincided with National Gardening Week last week, and was pertinent while people are staying home and spending more time in the garden.

Dr Mark Gush, head of environmental horticulture at RHS Wisley, said gardeners need to think about putting “the right plant, in the right place for the right purpose.” He continued: “We absolutely support the drought labelling of plants and labels for waterlogged soils too, but there are many other eco-system services that can be labelled as well.

"You can label trees and hedges too, to say if they can help to reduce pollution, or alleviate flooding by taking water out of the soil or act as noise barriers, or to promote biodiversity and remediate soils and take pollutants out. Labels can tell the public of these purposes and services. Plants help to promote health and well-being.”

Affinity’s #WhyNotWater campaign is a call to action for consumers to demand key changes to legislation and policy to promote water efficiency. Its four asks to date are:

• mandatory water efficiency labelling on all goods;

• rights for tenants to request that their landlords install water saving measures so that they are able to enjoy water efficient homes;

• domestic water efficiency by ensuring fixtures and fittings meet standard requirements through mandatory certification; and

• every local plan in a severely water stressed area should include the daily target of 110 litres a person

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