GEORGE NEWS - The Garden Route Botanical Garden (GRBG) has finished installing new water infrastructure that was donated to make the garden less dependent on municipal water during water shortages.
A submersible water pump and reticulation system was installed in the Van Kervel Dam, giving the GRBG access to the estimated 18,2 million litres of water.
Three 5 500-litre water tanks were installed at the propagation centre, more than doubling storage capacity from 15 000 litres to 31 500 litres. About 750m of pipeline was also installed to transport the water to the retail and propagation nurseries, the Garden Route Birds of Prey Rehab Centre, the welcome bed as well as to the new Outeniqua bed.
"This is a game changer for us," says Doug Cooke, GRBG trustee and volunteer. He says that they can now use mountain water, of which the pH is much better suited to fynbos than that of municipal water, and this is ideal for the new Outeniqua bed where about 6 000 fynbos plants will be planted.
According to the curator of the GRBG, Christiaan Viljoen, the donation of almost R81 000 will result in a reduction of about 60% in municipal water costs and an estimated annual saving of R60 000.
It will also ensure sufficient water for future expansions to the propagation and retail nurseries as well as the flower display beds.
The donation was made by a new resident of George who wishes to remain anonymous. "As a non-profit organisation, we are very thankful for donations like this, as they enable us to take the GRBG to new heights as we continue to develop the garden for the people of George," said Viljoen.
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