Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting in England's back gardens is the latest idea to save money and cut demand for water.

Basically a submarine-shaped tank buried in your garden or under your drive to catch rain off the roof. The bigger the roof, the greater volume of rain harvested.

The saved water could be used for toilet flushing, in washing machines, car washing, gardening, as well as prevent flooding by containing excess rainwater.

This could be useful as climate change is likely to create drier summers as well as more flooding.

The Environment Agency, says rainwater harvesting is particularly good for offices, factories and public buildings.

A tiny percentage of water treated by public water systems is actually used for drinking and cooking.

Waste water

Every time a toilet is flushed, between 7.5 and 10 litres of drinking water goes down the drain.

Other wasteful examples include up to 540 litres used by a garden sprinkler an hour, and 65 litres used in a typical washing machine cycle.

The association said people would get their money back from the tank investment within as little as five years, plus there are government grants available for help with capital costs.

Rainwater can be used for all 'grey' water applications i.e. toilet flushing, irrigation, vehicle washing, non hygienic cleaning, laundry, some industrial processes and fire extinguishing equipment.

Frequently asked questions:

Q: What sort of home would be suitable for rainwater harvesting?
A: Most homes and commercial premises are suitable. The only limitation is the area of the roof there is to capture rain. The bigger and flatter the roof, more litres of rain will be captured so less mains water will be needed.

Q: How clean is the water?
A: Our system has a filter to remove particles as rain enters the storage tank, the water is kept in the dark and kept oxygenated to discourage growth of algae. Our systems are carefully designed the ensure that any sediment is not stirred up. The harvested water is not drinking water.

Q: How much water can a system save?
A: Depending on your usage it can save 30 50% of the treated drinking water from the mains in houses and up to 80% of the treated drinking water in a business or commercial building.Metered water is the best way of appreciating the benefits.

Q: Where is the submarine-shaped tank installed?
A: We excavate a large enough area by the building to bury the tank. This could be under a garden, patio, drive or car park.

Q: How much does a rainwater harvesting system cost?
A: From around £4,000 for a domestic installation. Prices will vary according to the size of tank you need and the labour involved in installation. Ring us at GreenMole 0800 6343378 to ask about Rainwater Harvesting. Ring us at GreenMole 0800 6343378 to ask about Rainwater Harvesting.

Q: How much does a rainwater harvesting system cost?
A: From around £4,000 for a domestic installation. Prices will vary according to the size of tank you need and the labour involved in installation. Ring us at GreenMole 0800 6343378
to ask about Rainwater Harvesting.

Q: What can you use the water for?
A: Filtered rainwater from our tank can be used for toilet-flushing; clothes washing; gardens; vehicle washing; outdoor uses. It cannot be used for drinking or showering (in case of ingestion). Rainwater is soft which means soap lathers better in clothes washing and leaves them softer. Q: Where is the submarine-shaped tank installed?A: We excavate a large enough area by the building to bury the tank. This could be under a garden, patio, drive or car park.Q: How much does a rainwater harvesting system cost?A: From around £4,000 for a domestic installation. Prices will vary according to the size of tank you need and the labour involved in installation. Ring us at GreenMole 0800 6343378 to ask about Rainwater Harvesting. Ring us at GreenMole 0800 6343378
to ask about Rainwater Harvesting.

Q: How much does a rainwater harvesting system cost?
A: From around £4,000 for a domestic installation. Prices will vary according to the size of tank you need and the labour involved in installation. Ring us at GreenMole 0800 6343378
to ask about Rainwater Harvesting.
Ring us at GreenMole 0800 6343378
to ask about Rainwater Harvesting.

Q: How much water can a system save?
A: Depending on your usage it can save 30 50% of the treated drinking water from the mains in houses and up to 80% of the treated drinking water in a business or commercial building.Metered water is the best way of appreciating the benefits.

Q: What can you use the water for?
A: Filtered rainwater from our tank can be used for toilet-flushing; clothes washing; gardens; vehicle washing; outdoor uses. It cannot be used for drinking or showering (in case of ingestion). Rainwater is soft which means soap lathers better in clothes washing and leaves them softer. Q: Where is the submarine-shaped tank installed?A: We excavate a large enough area by the building to bury the tank. This could be under a garden, patio, drive or car park.

Q: Where is the submarine-shaped tank installed?
A: We excavate a large enough area by the building to bury the tank. This could be under a garden, patio, drive or car park.

Q: How much does a rainwater harvesting system cost?
A: From around £4,000 for a domestic installation. Prices will vary according to the size of tank you need and the labour involved in installation. Ring us at GreenMole 0800 6343378 to ask about Rainwater Harvesting. Ring us at GreenMole 0800 6343378
to ask about Rainwater Harvesting.

Q: How much does a rainwater harvesting system cost?
A: From around £4,000 for a domestic installation. Prices will vary according to the size of tank you need and the labour involved in installation. Ring us at GreenMole 0800 6343378 to ask about Rainwater Harvesting.
Ring us at GreenMole 0800 6343378
to ask about Rainwater Harvesting.

Ring us at GreenMole 0800 6343378
to ask about Rainwater Harvesting.