So after two dry Winters, the UK is facing water restrictions, affecting areas from the South coast right up to parts of Yorkshire. The last similar ban was back in Summer of 2007, when the Southern water companies issues hose pipe bans.
Some fact!
Water companies in England and Wales leaked more than 3.3bn litres a day in 2010/11, according to the regulator Ofwat.
Demand for water stands at around 17bn litres a day, according to industry body Water UK.
It would seem that the UK climate has changed over the last 20 or 30 years, with more extreme weather, since 2007, there has been a number of high profile flooding events and the focus on the management of water had shifted from water supply to the control of surface water run-off. In reality both of these issues are never going away and should be tackled together. Short terms views on either will never solve the overall problem of water management in the UK. When the hose pipe bans were announced during early March, much of the media started talking about the need to create some sort of "national water grid" in other words move water from areas where it is plentiful to essentially the South and South East. This would potentially mean an awful lot of civil engineering, at quite an environmental (and carbon) cost. There doesn't seem to be a proper debate that includes rainwater harvesting.
Taking a more local approach would seem a better option, providing there is enough water available. Rainwater harvesting as many of you know has emerged during the last 12-15 years in the UK, brought over largely from Germany. Importing storage tanks from Germany has always been one of the main criticisms aimed at rainwater harvesting.
Freerain's parent The Gusto Group has tackled this very issue by investing in a rotational moulding factory and purpose rainwater harvesting designed tank moulds. The range of underground tanks include the following features:
1) 1800 litres up to 10,000 litres
2) Single piece, no need for messy on site assembly
3) Made from virgin high strength polyethylene.
4) Installed without the need for concrete back fill or bases
5) Supplied with telescopic access shaft and pedestrian cover.
www.gustotanks.co.uk
Freerain is obviously a customer of the Gusto Group storage tanks and have a number of different control systems built around them available. Garden rainwater harvesting systems are proving very popular at the moment, as customers look to store significant quantities of water for garden use and "beat the hose pipe ban" Find the garden rainwater harvesting systems here.
Garden rainwater harvesting can be a very good way to get involved with collecting rainwater, as trying to re-plumb a house to serve toilets and washing machines to an existing can prove difficult.
Remember you can use a rainwater harvesting system in the garden with a hose pipe, providing the water company imposing the restrictions haven't supplied the water.
Monday, 2 April 2012
Friday, 24 June 2011
Garden Rainwater harvesting
The Rain King 1000
With the onset of Summer and the news that we are facing water restrictions, not to mention brown grass! At Freerain Ltd we have been busy sending out one of our best selling products, The Rain King 1000. This is a basic, very DIY friendly due to the ease of the tank being hand-dig-able, but still a large enough volume to make a real difference compared to normal above ground water butts.
As part of the packaged the Rain King 1000, includes a 1,000 litre underground polyethylene storage tank, a downpipe filter and a stainless steel submersible pump. All this delivered on a pallet for only £869 (as June 2011). See garden rainwater harvesting for more information.
There are also storage tanks from 1800 right up to 10,000 litres with internal pre-tank filters for gardeners wanting even more water. These are also pumped systems and manufactured in the UK!!!
Above ground rainwater harvesting
We also appreciate that it is not always possible to bury a rainwater harvesting tank and so we also have a wall tank system, these are 800 litres each, so around 4 times the capacity of the traditional water butt and can be linked together to make really serious sized systems. Each system includes a tank, down pipe filter/diverter, a sight gauge and a pump. All the necessary inter-connecting pipes are included. See above ground rainwater harvesting for more information and current pricing.
We have received an so many enquiries from people who have been using water butts for a long time, and now realise that over the last few years, these are simply not large enough to last through significant periods of low rainfall. Also, when it is dry and hot, often this can be broken up by a heavy thunderstorm. We really need to intercept this and store it. Meaning that unless a decent amount of capacity is available, this opportunity will be lost.
With the onset of Summer and the news that we are facing water restrictions, not to mention brown grass! At Freerain Ltd we have been busy sending out one of our best selling products, The Rain King 1000. This is a basic, very DIY friendly due to the ease of the tank being hand-dig-able, but still a large enough volume to make a real difference compared to normal above ground water butts.
As part of the packaged the Rain King 1000, includes a 1,000 litre underground polyethylene storage tank, a downpipe filter and a stainless steel submersible pump. All this delivered on a pallet for only £869 (as June 2011). See garden rainwater harvesting for more information.
There are also storage tanks from 1800 right up to 10,000 litres with internal pre-tank filters for gardeners wanting even more water. These are also pumped systems and manufactured in the UK!!!
Above ground rainwater harvesting
We also appreciate that it is not always possible to bury a rainwater harvesting tank and so we also have a wall tank system, these are 800 litres each, so around 4 times the capacity of the traditional water butt and can be linked together to make really serious sized systems. Each system includes a tank, down pipe filter/diverter, a sight gauge and a pump. All the necessary inter-connecting pipes are included. See above ground rainwater harvesting for more information and current pricing.
We have received an so many enquiries from people who have been using water butts for a long time, and now realise that over the last few years, these are simply not large enough to last through significant periods of low rainfall. Also, when it is dry and hot, often this can be broken up by a heavy thunderstorm. We really need to intercept this and store it. Meaning that unless a decent amount of capacity is available, this opportunity will be lost.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Warmest April on record 2011
It has been reported this week that April 2011 (UK) was the warmest on record and figures out today shows that rainfall in most parts of UK were very low indeed. The south coast have received about 3-5% rainfall that they would have expected for April. Parts of Scotland were the exceptions with slightly above average, but only by a few percentage points.
The BBC are reporting that following a dry March as well, in terms of agriculture we could see food prices rise due to either lower yields and/or due to the cost associated with irrigation. This of course raise many questions, questions that are really beyond this post and indeed this blog.
We at Freerain have seen a massive increase in the number of potential customers looking for solutions to their water shortage issues. These range from the typical home gardener, who's traditional water butts ran out during the first weekend of April (if they lasted into April), to the small-holding needing a regular supply in larger quantities. We have also received enquiries from the leisure industry, for example pine lodge parks, these are often in slightly remote areas and need water mainly for irrigating their plants and in some cases washing down of the lodges themselves.
One question which is often aimed at rainwater harvesting is "if doesn't rain, what's the point of putting a tank in?" Which if you think about that, it is true. However, these dry spells (or actual drought conditions) are not rare events. Virtually every year we get similar stories in the news about lack of rainfall, coupled with increased demand (especially in the South East). Water shortages are not going away. So our customers are right to look to finding a solution not necessarily for their immediate problem, but for the next dry event.
In our office, we have been using rainwater harvesting to provide WC flushing and the occasional car washing function for about 12 years now and in that time we have seen many very dry spells. These are often combined with heavy storms in the middle of the hottest weather. These high rainfall events, fill the tank very quickly, which gives the office a supply for the next three weeks.
As mentioned above, garden watering is a hot topic (pardon the pun!) and it is much easier to install a system for gardening. This is because the is no requirement to change the household plumbing. Also, often the whole roof is not required meaning that the drainage also doesn't require substantial alterations. Our most popular systems are the Rain King garden systems. With the easiest of all and the most cost effective being the Rain King 1000.
For advice on garden rainwater harvesting and indeed full domestic systems, please visit our website Freerain or call 01636 894906 sales@freerain.co.uk
The BBC are reporting that following a dry March as well, in terms of agriculture we could see food prices rise due to either lower yields and/or due to the cost associated with irrigation. This of course raise many questions, questions that are really beyond this post and indeed this blog.
We at Freerain have seen a massive increase in the number of potential customers looking for solutions to their water shortage issues. These range from the typical home gardener, who's traditional water butts ran out during the first weekend of April (if they lasted into April), to the small-holding needing a regular supply in larger quantities. We have also received enquiries from the leisure industry, for example pine lodge parks, these are often in slightly remote areas and need water mainly for irrigating their plants and in some cases washing down of the lodges themselves.
One question which is often aimed at rainwater harvesting is "if doesn't rain, what's the point of putting a tank in?" Which if you think about that, it is true. However, these dry spells (or actual drought conditions) are not rare events. Virtually every year we get similar stories in the news about lack of rainfall, coupled with increased demand (especially in the South East). Water shortages are not going away. So our customers are right to look to finding a solution not necessarily for their immediate problem, but for the next dry event.
In our office, we have been using rainwater harvesting to provide WC flushing and the occasional car washing function for about 12 years now and in that time we have seen many very dry spells. These are often combined with heavy storms in the middle of the hottest weather. These high rainfall events, fill the tank very quickly, which gives the office a supply for the next three weeks.
As mentioned above, garden watering is a hot topic (pardon the pun!) and it is much easier to install a system for gardening. This is because the is no requirement to change the household plumbing. Also, often the whole roof is not required meaning that the drainage also doesn't require substantial alterations. Our most popular systems are the Rain King garden systems. With the easiest of all and the most cost effective being the Rain King 1000.
For advice on garden rainwater harvesting and indeed full domestic systems, please visit our website Freerain or call 01636 894906 sales@freerain.co.uk
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Water shortages again in the news
Well it's been the driest March for about 40 years for most parts of the UK. Already here we are in the 3rd week of April (2011 and there are stories in the news appearing about the water levels in our reservoirs.
The BBC has reported earlier this week that some of the reservoirs are currently at around 80% of the expected levels for this time of the year. But didn't we have a decent amount of rainfall over the winter (including the several bouts of snowfall)? So one dry month and the country seems to start running out of water.
Does this mean that we are in fact living beyond our means for water, especially with a drier climate predicted and an ever-increasing population?
This hightlights the need for a water strategy and one which embraces all available techniques, from water conservation right throught to localised capture/collection. Obviously we at Freerain are very focused on rainwater harvesting and we have seen from our own monitoring that a typical household can reduce their mains water demand by 50%. But also there is a need for education at various key levels to ensure that water is used carefully.
There has been some debate over the years surrounding the carbon cost of rainwater harvesting, but it must be stressed that a small amount of carbon is more than worthwhile to keep the taps flowing. Again, rainwater harvesting must be used together with various other techniques as part of an all round effort.
At Freerain we have recently launched a new range of UK manufactured rainwater harvesting tanks to further reduce the environmental impact of similar German imported tanks. These tanks can be used in domestic and smaller commercial applications. They start from 1,800 litres right through to 10,000 litres, all single piece and all have a very low profile. Being made from polyethylene and designed to be installed in very high water tables, they can be installed without concrete bases, backfills or surrounds. Domestic rainwater harvesting tanks
The BBC has reported earlier this week that some of the reservoirs are currently at around 80% of the expected levels for this time of the year. But didn't we have a decent amount of rainfall over the winter (including the several bouts of snowfall)? So one dry month and the country seems to start running out of water.
Does this mean that we are in fact living beyond our means for water, especially with a drier climate predicted and an ever-increasing population?
This hightlights the need for a water strategy and one which embraces all available techniques, from water conservation right throught to localised capture/collection. Obviously we at Freerain are very focused on rainwater harvesting and we have seen from our own monitoring that a typical household can reduce their mains water demand by 50%. But also there is a need for education at various key levels to ensure that water is used carefully.
There has been some debate over the years surrounding the carbon cost of rainwater harvesting, but it must be stressed that a small amount of carbon is more than worthwhile to keep the taps flowing. Again, rainwater harvesting must be used together with various other techniques as part of an all round effort.
At Freerain we have recently launched a new range of UK manufactured rainwater harvesting tanks to further reduce the environmental impact of similar German imported tanks. These tanks can be used in domestic and smaller commercial applications. They start from 1,800 litres right through to 10,000 litres, all single piece and all have a very low profile. Being made from polyethylene and designed to be installed in very high water tables, they can be installed without concrete bases, backfills or surrounds. Domestic rainwater harvesting tanks
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
First a hose pipe ban and now canal issues
There is much talk in the industry regarding payback rates, carbon footprints and reliability issues with rainwater harvesting systems. Yet the real issue is the security of the national water supply. We have been far too relaxed over the last century, mainly thanks to the Victorian engineers, driven on by the industrial revolution. Also our perception that the UK climate is wet and therefore water is not a resource, it merely comes out of the tap anytime we turn it on. With an ever-increasing population, possible climate change, evidence is pointing towards more pressure on the most basic of resources.
In recent weeks we saw the start of the first water restrictions in the UK for four years and it was actually very surprising to see it not in the South East, but the North West. Whilst this is more of a pain than a real issue, it points to a potentially greater problem. A single dry season has been enough to stress the supply. Just this week we have seen further evidence of the environmental impact of an over-stressed water supply. As reported by the BBC there are closures of canal ways due to the lack of water, see here The Leeds-Liverpool canal is one of the major parts of the network. Not only does this imply the environmental concerns, but also the impact on tourism and the economic situation.
Also this week, people in the midlands are being asked to conserve water, to avoid a mandatory ban. See here, also from the BBC.
So when the issue of rainwater harvesting is being considered is simply not enough to consider it as a stand-alone solution for a single dwelling, project or even a larger site. Does it really matter that it might not payback in less than three years? Well certainly costs are important and nobody is suggesting otherwise, but maintaining supplies through the use of rainwater harvesting and other water conservation measures.
www.freerain.co.uk
In recent weeks we saw the start of the first water restrictions in the UK for four years and it was actually very surprising to see it not in the South East, but the North West. Whilst this is more of a pain than a real issue, it points to a potentially greater problem. A single dry season has been enough to stress the supply. Just this week we have seen further evidence of the environmental impact of an over-stressed water supply. As reported by the BBC there are closures of canal ways due to the lack of water, see here The Leeds-Liverpool canal is one of the major parts of the network. Not only does this imply the environmental concerns, but also the impact on tourism and the economic situation.
Also this week, people in the midlands are being asked to conserve water, to avoid a mandatory ban. See here, also from the BBC.
So when the issue of rainwater harvesting is being considered is simply not enough to consider it as a stand-alone solution for a single dwelling, project or even a larger site. Does it really matter that it might not payback in less than three years? Well certainly costs are important and nobody is suggesting otherwise, but maintaining supplies through the use of rainwater harvesting and other water conservation measures.
www.freerain.co.uk
Sunday, 27 June 2010
Hose pipe bans on the way
Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to spare....
No doubt you will have seen in the national press a story concerning the North West of England and the mounting concerns regarding water restrictions. It is very likely after a dry spring season, that hose-pipe bans and perhaps reduced water pressure could be in place shortly. Also, we have seen the warmest weekend of the year, following an above average temperature week.
For me this highlights the need to conserve our most basic of resources, what we are saying here is that, an above average rainfall region becomes water stressed, by one dry season. What is likely to mean, if the population growth figures are true and the affects of "global warming"?
Already at Freerain Ltd, we have seen a dramatic increase in enquiries from all areas of the UK and not just the North West. The gardening rainwater harvesing systems, Rain King, allow easier retro-fitting of a rainwater system, as they don't require changes to the internal plumbing arrangements.
No doubt you will have seen in the national press a story concerning the North West of England and the mounting concerns regarding water restrictions. It is very likely after a dry spring season, that hose-pipe bans and perhaps reduced water pressure could be in place shortly. Also, we have seen the warmest weekend of the year, following an above average temperature week.
For me this highlights the need to conserve our most basic of resources, what we are saying here is that, an above average rainfall region becomes water stressed, by one dry season. What is likely to mean, if the population growth figures are true and the affects of "global warming"?
Already at Freerain Ltd, we have seen a dramatic increase in enquiries from all areas of the UK and not just the North West. The gardening rainwater harvesing systems, Rain King, allow easier retro-fitting of a rainwater system, as they don't require changes to the internal plumbing arrangements.
Friday, 23 April 2010
UK Water Bills could rise
Background/Introduction
The most basic requirement in the UK, namely water is seriously under threat. Yet in this country we seem to be fairly blinkered into the carbon only argument in terms of our sustainable approach. Yes, carbon is a very important subject and measure of our environmental progress, but I would argue that it cannot and must be not used as the only measure.
With the UK's population set to increase by potentially 20 million more by 2050 and shifts in our climate (yet to be fully understood and determined), all resources will come under unprecedented stress. Added to this the current stress levels on water supplies in the South East of England, water conservation is a must.
Water of course is not only required for the most basic function, namely drinking, but it is fundamental to our crop growing and agricultural strategies. Recent studies have indicated that the availability of suitable growing conditions in the future maybe restricted to the wettest parts of the UK, i.e. Wales, Scotland and parts of the South West. Meaning that the traditional cereal regions, such as East Anglia and Lincolnshire would be lost from production. Yet more resource stress.
Planning
Strategic level planning for water is centered on the extra people and the dwindling (expected) rainfall predictions. So less water for more people. Currently in the UK we "enjoy" an average of 150 litres per person per day, more in certain areas of the country, the South East. The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) aims for a reduction to 80 litres per person per day at code level 5 and 6. For many this would be a complete change to their way of life. Potentially ending "taken-for-granted" activities, such as a full bath or nightly garden watering etc.
Rainwater harvesting - a solution
In the UK we have been fairly slow to adopt rainwater harvesting, this in part is due to the lack of financial incentives. In Germany, where rainwater harvesting is widely used, the cost of water is significantly higher than here in the UK. Lack of grants for rainwater harvesting, such as those enjoyed by other technologies, such as Solar, has made it difficult for business and individuals to justify the expense on paybacks alone.
Better technology, the recently published BS8515:2009, improved supply chains, installers and understanding will help to reduce the overall cost of installing a rainwater collection system.
However, a warning from the water companies suggests that the cost of water is moving up and one report recently in the Daily Mail suggests 27% above inflation.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1267821/Water-bills-soar-industry-unsustainable-firm-warns.html
The most basic requirement in the UK, namely water is seriously under threat. Yet in this country we seem to be fairly blinkered into the carbon only argument in terms of our sustainable approach. Yes, carbon is a very important subject and measure of our environmental progress, but I would argue that it cannot and must be not used as the only measure.
With the UK's population set to increase by potentially 20 million more by 2050 and shifts in our climate (yet to be fully understood and determined), all resources will come under unprecedented stress. Added to this the current stress levels on water supplies in the South East of England, water conservation is a must.
Water of course is not only required for the most basic function, namely drinking, but it is fundamental to our crop growing and agricultural strategies. Recent studies have indicated that the availability of suitable growing conditions in the future maybe restricted to the wettest parts of the UK, i.e. Wales, Scotland and parts of the South West. Meaning that the traditional cereal regions, such as East Anglia and Lincolnshire would be lost from production. Yet more resource stress.
Planning
Strategic level planning for water is centered on the extra people and the dwindling (expected) rainfall predictions. So less water for more people. Currently in the UK we "enjoy" an average of 150 litres per person per day, more in certain areas of the country, the South East. The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) aims for a reduction to 80 litres per person per day at code level 5 and 6. For many this would be a complete change to their way of life. Potentially ending "taken-for-granted" activities, such as a full bath or nightly garden watering etc.
Rainwater harvesting - a solution
In the UK we have been fairly slow to adopt rainwater harvesting, this in part is due to the lack of financial incentives. In Germany, where rainwater harvesting is widely used, the cost of water is significantly higher than here in the UK. Lack of grants for rainwater harvesting, such as those enjoyed by other technologies, such as Solar, has made it difficult for business and individuals to justify the expense on paybacks alone.
Better technology, the recently published BS8515:2009, improved supply chains, installers and understanding will help to reduce the overall cost of installing a rainwater collection system.
However, a warning from the water companies suggests that the cost of water is moving up and one report recently in the Daily Mail suggests 27% above inflation.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1267821/Water-bills-soar-industry-unsustainable-firm-warns.html
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