Save the Rain™ - As flooding hits, Rainwater Recycling 'should
be compulsory'
RAINWATER recycling should be compulsory in all new
buildings to help combat climate change and ease the
UK’s water crisis. Despite all the recent rainfall the
UK is short of water: Britain has less water available
per person than most European countries.
With Britain awash from serious summer floods,
campaigners are highlighting the terrible waste that
recent heavy rain will not be recycled to cut down on
mains water usage
Rainwater harvesting systems collect rain to flush
toilets and water gardens. They can save up to 50% of
mains water usage in the home and up to 80% in
commercial / industrial installations. Save the Rain™ is
calling on the Government to introduce legislation to
make Rainwater Harvesting systems compulsory on all new
buildings (www.savetherain.info). The systems collect
rain from the roof into an underground storage tank,
then pump it for use in toilets, outside taps and
sometimes for washing machines.
Rainwater Harvesting can also play a vital role as part
of flood management by holding back stormwater run-off
at the point of falling during periods of heavy rain. As
integral part of Sustainable Drainage Solutions (SUDS),
rainwater harvesting can be considered as contributing
towards discharge control consents for local planning
purposes.
“Undeniably, global warming is leading us to experience
the extremes of flooding and drought in equal measure.
Our memories are short: – This time last year Britain
was in the grips of drought orders and hosepipe bans,”
says Chris Williams, spokesman for the Save the Rain™
campaign.
“Demand for Britain’s water is increasing at a rate of
1% a year, and there is less water available for each UK
resident than for many European countries – even the
hottest and driest ones. Our consumption levels are not
sustainable and the need to take a long-term view has
never been more pressing. Rainwater re-use seems to
offer an obvious solution.”
“Rainwater harvesting is a simple technology used widely
in other countries. We believe if enough homes and
buildings had rainwater harvesting, we could
dramatically reduce demand on Britain’s mains water
supplies."
Save the Rain™ campaign is urging people to show their
support for the campaign by signing a petition to the
Government at www.savetherain.info. Save the Rain™ is
also campaigning for grants or other financial
incentives for homeowners to install rainwater
harvesting in existing properties.
Says Chris Williams: “The Government’s Code for
Sustainable Homes has gone some way to encouraging
housebuilders to install rainwater harvesting through
the code’s ‘star rating’ system. The code also
encourages energy efficiency to reduce our carbon
footprint. But the code is only voluntary at present and
we believe the Government needs to go one step further
to make rainwater harvesting mandatory on all new
buildings.”
“We also believe that rainwater harvesting will add
value to any property in which it is installed, “ added
Chris. In a recent survey conducted by Save the Rain™ in
association with British Water, one in three homeowners
said they would be more likely to buy a house if it had
a rainwater harvesting system already fitted.
Chris Williams is managing director of Hydro
International, a manufacturer of rainwater harvesting
systems who are sponsors of Save the Rain™: “We have a
technology which we know could make a tremendous
difference to water demand management in the UK. It’s
our duty to shout about it from the rooftops!”
Email:
rachael.collinge@iassmarts.com
Arundel Jones Associates Ltd
Hill Farm, Linton Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AL
Tel : 01622 745333
news@buildingdesign.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales No. 07334149
News Categories : Rainwater recovery systems water
recycling systems
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Rainwater
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