Rainwater Harvesting
Making it simple to reduce reliance on mains water
Making it simple to reduce reliance on mains water
Whilst large scale rainwater harvesting can provide a solution for a variety of non-potable applications, from flushing the toilet through to use in washing machines, products exist to specifically serve the garden.
A raintrap, for example, is underground water storage which has been specifically designed for irrigation. It can also provide additional resource for plant watering and car washing. As the tank sits under the soil, it is ideally suited for a complete landscaping job where the disruption when creating space for the tank will be minimal. Raintraps collect rainwater direct from the roof via existing guttering and downpipe systems. A built-in filter ensures that leaves and other debris are removed to maintain the quality of the stored water. A raintrap adds much more to the end-user than a traditional garden waterbutt. Far larger quantities of water can be stored, plus it removes the need to carry heavy cans of water around the garden. A pump is operated through a standard switch, which means the tank won’t flood when full. Excess water will exit via a soak-away or surface water drain. A common barrier to the specification of raintraps is the believed difficulty of installation. It can in fact be simplified into seven stages:
From the number of fantastic options available on the market, it is clear that there is a healthy demand for rainwater harvesting products and that they can make a valid contribution to water savings. Why then has the British public been reluctant to embrace this technology in the past? The answer is probably in the fact that we place little value on water, we turn the tap on and expect water instantly. What’s the point of using rainwater harvesting when it’s already so easy to get it from a tap?
Efforts to communicate that rainwater systems are now highly technical pieces of equipment, rather than just the traditional water butt, needs to continue to remedy this common perception of available water resources. This will also help the raintrap market to grow and provide further specification options for landscapers. Collecting, storing and utilising natural resources can have a far bigger impact on reducing on-going gardening and landscaping costs. Sustainable irrigation reduces pressure and reliance on mains water, which has an environmental and importantly a financial benefit for the homeowner. For further information on Travis Perkins and its landscaping products or to locate your nearest branch visit www.travisperkins.co.uk. |