This week is national WaterWise water saving week - an admirable initiative which is backed by various bodies within the industry including the TurfGrass Growers Association and the Institute of Groundsmanship.

If you were to pay their website a visit there is plenty of information there on tips for saving water from domestic usage up to the workplace. Associated to this and of particular interest to the turf professional, is an online course which has been running for the past year that has recently reached a major milestone.

Since its launch a year ago, 100 professionals have now completed the 'Water Conservation Course' developed through a joint initiative by horticultural and landscape industry trade associations in partnership with a number of UK water companies. The aim is to reduce the demand for water in areas labelled by the Environment Agency as "serious water stressed".

It requires turf professionals to demonstrate high standards of sustainable, cost effective and environmentally sensitive use of water in gardens, parks, sports grounds and other amenity areas.

The certificate enables holders, and the companies they work for, to take a leading role in demonstrating and promoting best water management practice to the public.

Tim Mudge, Chief Executive at the Turfgrass Growers Association, said, "The e-learning course is an important step forward for the industry. It is the first time water companies and trade associations have co-operated so closely for the benefit of the environment. We would urge everyone to take advantage of this course to help manage water in the garden, which is such a precious resource."

IOG CEO Geoff Webb agrees with this sentiment. He issued a statement saying, "We are delighted to have been involved in this industry wide initiative to raise awareness and understanding of the need to manage valuable water resources more effectively and sustainably. We continue to respond to social and environmental pressures and this e-learning course is further evidence of our desire to be at the cutting edge of developments."

Key it would seem to getting more turf professionals to take up the course is belief in the scheme by their employers. One company who sees the value in this water saving education is PC Landscapes Ltd . Their md Paul Cowell, said, "When we learnt about this course we immediately made it company policy that all operatives would take part. Our company ethos is one of sustainability where we design, construct and maintain the landscapes we plan. The online test reflected this perfectly.

"The course not only highlighted the knowledge needed to undertake specialist landscape projects, but also gave clients greater confidence that we were the right company as all our operatives could demonstrate awareness of how water plays a vital role in their landscape projects. This is a must-do course for anybody dealing with the external environment."

The hour-long course comprises four modules focusing on planning, constructing, establishing and maintaining gardens, grounds and landscapes in ways which use minimal water. It only costs £10 plus VAT and can be accessed online by visiting www.htalearning.org.uk

One has to say, that with such a low price, you would think that a few more than 100 professionals would've taken up the course in the space of a year? But at least it's a start.

Hopefully with any publicity that this week's campaign can generate, maybe a few more, or perhaps more accurately, their employers, will see the value in this scheme.