Lettuces sprout after DELTA water treatment

Bundaberg QLD: Andrew Dowling

Bundaberg market gardener Andrew Dowling has a hefty problem with the size of his lettuces since he started treating his water supply with a DELTA magnetic water conditioner. But it’s an issue the Queensland man’s thrilled to face as he contemplates his healthy, huge plants during the weekly harvest.

“I can’t get the lettuce into the sleeves now, they’re just too big,” he laughs. “Since I’ve had the DELTA unit on these are the best lettuces I’ve had in 10 years.”

Andrew grows six varieties of lettuce hydroponically under shade cloth. Most of it ends up as salad mix destined for pubs, clubs and restaurants in the local area. He harvests about 4000 plants a week and he used to pack 20 whole lettuces to a box. Now, with DELTA on the job, he can only fit 15 in each box because of the growth increase.

The market gardener, who installed a grade-five DELTA water treatment unit to condition water earmarked for his lettuce in late May this year, declares he won’t grow another thing on his block unless it’s got DELTA-treated supply. He’s determined to install another grade five unit in August, ensuring that all his on-farm and domestic water will benefit from DELTA’s touch.

“I now have 100 per cent no intention of growing anything here without using DELTA with my water,” Andrew says.

He initially sought help with his water supply, sourced from Paradise and Fred Haigh dams, after struggling with tip burn on his crop for nearly a decade. While striking some success with other water treatment products, he turned to Alex and Dianne Panov, founders of the 100% Australian company DELTAwater solutions for a more cost-effective and efficient option to his water woes.

“Alex got me to do a water test, which showed the water was high in chloride, and he reckoned that was causing the tip burn,” Andrew says.

He installed a DELTA magnetic water conditioner, saying it was four times cheaper than the previous technology he’d trialled, and saw swift results.

“Within four days (of installing a DELTA) I was starting to see a difference,” Andrew says. “I didn’t know whether I was kidding myself but within two and a half weeks I was seeing a massive difference in the speed of growth, in the size of the lettuce.”

Andrew says DELTAwater Solutions is a trusted name among growers in the district. Some have been successfully using the magnetic water treatment technology, which addresses a range ofwater-quality issues including mineral build up and scale, for years. “I know people around here who wouldn’t grow another crop without having a DELTAwater solutions magnetic water conditioner on; they’ve got a good reputation,” he says. “One fella’s had his for more than 15 years and he still swears by it. Once you spend the initial money on it, that’s it, there’s no maintenance. It’s there every day and it doesn’t wear out.”

He’s also hoping his next crop of hydroponically-grown ginger will flourish with DELTA-treated supply when planting begins in spring. After several years of experimentation in growing ginger and three years selling it commercially, he will plant about half an acre of ginger in August and September and can’t wait to see the results early next year.

“I’m extremely hopeful that with DELTAwater solutions water treatment, the ginger will do the same thing as the lettuce,” Andrew says.

Andrew, who grows his ginger crop under shade cloth, harvests it midyear. The crop ends up on Coles supermarket shelves. He also grows other crops including strawberries, flowers, coriander, rocket and garlic.