Watering the garden: preferences for alternative sources in suburban areas of the Mediterranean coast

Abstract

Gardening has become a relevant contributor to the quality of life of suburbanites, as a source of leisure, to build a relationship with nature or to express a particular social identity. Nevertheless, water scarcity in the Mediterranean region has increased concerns about how demand should be managed to face future uncertainties, and watering the gardens has become an element for discussion in urban planning. This contribution presents the findings of a survey of permanent residents and secondary homeowners (n = 230) in the suburban areas surrounding the city of Girona in the northeast of Catalonia (Spain). The area is a popular national and international tourist destination and a preferred place for second-home owners. We explore the main socio-demographic drivers for choosing an alternative watering source and we analyse if water-harvesting tank sizes properly meet net irrigation requirements. Results show that many water-harvesting tanks are oversized. The percentage of unemployed or retired household members, the estimated irrigation water needs of the garden and the education level directly influence the search for alternative sources of water. Moreover, social variables like interest in gardening, water conservation attitudes and household income indirectly influence the search for alternative sources of water.

Keywords:

• water
• gardening
• rainwater harvesting
• suburban area
• Mediterranean coast
• structural equation modelling

Notes

1. A sample size calculation based on a Poisson distribution confirmed that this sample includes a sufficiently large proportion of the population to be representative (Sierra Bravo 1998).

2. Nineteen households in the sample reported using the rainwater harvesting system's water not just on the garden, but also to fill the swimming pool.

3. The optimal tank size is defined here as the one that, were it increased by 1 m³, would provide a marginal increase in water saving (less than 1% threshold).