We only have rain water, Bobert. It's collected in above-ground tanks. No town water out here. The trick with my container growing is the clay pot of water embedded in the soil inside the container. It's an old method. The water seeps slowly into the soil. There in the US. you can buy these pots. They're shaped like geni bottles with a narrow neck. I have to make do with little terracotta oil-jars or small pots made to link together into a watering-system. I bought these from the inventer here in Australia and they worked well for years but I find it easier to unlink them and fill them by hand. Bigger pots with splayed necks would be easier to use. I see that this method is used in New Mexico as well as in Africa and the Middle East. We have so many big trees around us and growing vegetables in big tubs is the only easy way to avoid their roots. The containers get first go at the water I give them.
We are in a temperate zone, Janie. It's far from temperate this summer.
Joy