Cornwall Community Group Could Save Thousands of Litres of Water with New Rainwater Harvesting System

A community allotment group in Cornwall is set to save over 15,000 litres of water thanks to the installation of 75 new water butts, provided through support from South West Water’s Water-Saving Community Fund.

The Church Hill and Long Rock allotments, managed by Ludgvan Parish Council, have received a significant boost in their efforts to conserve water. With the addition of these water butts, the allotments can now store up to 15,750 litres of rainwater, ensuring their crops can thrive even during periods of dry weather.

Eco-Friendly Approach

The allotment group, known for its commitment to growing organic and chemical-free produce, can now further reduce its environmental impact. By relying on rainwater instead of mains supply, the group not only cuts down on water usage but also saves money that can be reinvested in other community-benefiting projects.

“Thanks to the help of South West Water, all of our allotments can now collect rainwater, greatly cutting down the need to use and pay for mains supply – meaning we can instead invest that money in other ways to benefit our community,” said a representative from Ludgvan Parish Council. The council also highlighted the importance of water conservation, especially during the summer months, and praised the initiative as a brilliant opportunity to make the best use of available resources.

Support from South West Water

Dani Twelvetree, Head of Customer Communication and Engagement at South West Water, expressed delight in supporting Ludgvan Parish Council and their volunteers. “We’re delighted to support the Ludgvan council and their allotment volunteers with their community water-saving project, helping them to reduce their use and reliance on tap waters.”

The Water-Saving Community Fund, which provides £75,000 of funding each year to local not-for-profit organisations across the South West region, enabled the purchase of the water butts. This initiative not only supports water conservation but also fosters community engagement and sustainability.

For those interested in similar projects, more information on the Water-Saving Community Fund and application details can be found on the South West Water website.

This article provides an overview of the significant steps taken by a Cornwall community group to conserve water through rainwater harvesting, highlighting the support received from South West Water and the impact on local sustainability efforts.