Key Benefits

What is Rainwater Harvesting? 

Rainwater Harvesting is a proven method of collecting rainwater from a building’s roof (via the normal drainage system, i.e. guttering and drainpipes) and storing it a tank for both internal (WC's and washing machines) and external use (gardens and car washing, etc).  Tanks, which are usually 1300L - 5000L in size, can be installed above- or below-ground depending on personal preference and feasibility of install and use.

Rainwater is collected via the usual drainage method and fed through a filter - or series of filters - on its way into the tank.  A pump - which can be installed above-ground or inside the tank - is used to deliver water to its destination whenever required.  Above-ground pumps tend to be noisey, while submersible pumps are silent. Furthermore, some pumps require manual operation while others are automatic.  Any overflow must be directed to an existing drainage system or soakaway. 

In the UK, above-ground tanks are prone to freezing, therefore it is wise to install below-ground if the system is supplying WC's and/or washing machines.   

If installing below-ground, the services of a builder are recommended to achieve this.  However, it is very feasible to do it yourself provided you have the necessary skills. 

Benefits

If you are a homeowner who is not yet on a meter, then it’s more than likely that you are paying more than necessary for your water.  What’s more, the cost of maintaining the water supply in this country is rising all the time due to maintenance and development for sewage treatment, etc, the cost of which is of course being passed onto you, the consumer. 

Installing a rainwater harvesting system and a meter will enable you to counter this by paying only for the water you use.  And with a typical 3-4 x person household expecting to collect 30000L-50000L of rainwater each year, it makes perfect sense to utilise this water in whatever ways you can, naturally saving money and helping the environment. 

Is it suitable for my home or business?

If you have 2 - 3 sqm of space available for an above-ground system, or approximately 3 - 5 sqm of space available to dig a hole for a below-ground install, then the chances are you can benefit from rainwater harvesting and save money.

Costs and savings

Systems are typically available in sizes ranging from 1000L up to 10000L, with larger requirements being met by connecting systems together.  Prices start from as little as £800 and reach in excess of £4000.

By installing a rainwater harvesting system and requesting a meter be installed also, you can expect to save in the region of 50% off your water bill.  In addition, you'll be storing water for use in times of draught, and any water you use for laundry purposes will be softer and therefore not need conditioners. Furthermore, you will be recycling anything in the region of 30000L (for a small tank) and 100000L+ (for a large tank) each year, therefore you'll be making a tremendous difference to your immediate environment.