RainWater Harvesting Ltd has been chosen to play a key part in Bicester’s new eco development plan by supplying a rainwater harvesting system for the demonstration building.
Garth House is the first “Home of the Future” example from the Bicester zero-carbon development which will incorporate innovative features to achieve more sustainable living standards.
Rainwater harvesting is now seen as a means of reducing mains water consumption. Up to 50% of the water currently used in and out of the home does not need to be of drinking quality and over 30% literally goes straight down the toilet. RainWater Harvesting Ltd’s system collects water from the roof of Garth House and stores it below ground to use for WCs, washing machines and in the garden.
Ian Inshaw, Chairman of P3Eco Bicester, developers of the project, said, “We wanted to display the very latest sustainable systems in our demonstration building amongst which we were pleased to have included the rainwater harvesting system by RainWater Harvesting Ltd. There has been considerable public interest in this modern technology which was in keeping with our aim of displaying the latest technology which contributes to sustainable living for the future.”
With water bills in England and Wales set to rise by 5.7% in April, payback on installing a rainwater harvesting system will now be shorter. The system used for Garth House includes a Carat 2700 litre tank installed underground. Rainwater stays cool and fresh underground and the tank takes up no space. The Carat tank comes in two halves to facilitate delivery and site handling. The Platin and Rondus tanks come in one piece but do not need to be dug in so deeply as the Carat. All tanks come in different sizes to cater for differing rainfall, catchment areas and household needs.
Garth House was also fitted with RainWater Harvesting Ltd’s energy-conscious Rain Director® gravity feed system. Rainwater is pumped from the main storage tank to a header tank in the loft space, and then gravity feeds down to where it is needed. With the unique Rain Director®, pump activity is reduced to the minimum thereby reducing electricity use and pump wear and tear.
It is hoped that rainwater harvesting will be just one of the many sustainable technologies to be integrated within the planned 5,000 home eco town development in northwest Bicester. The eco town development stems from the desire to make Bicester a better place to live, work and bring up a family. Over a year the net carbon dioxide emissions from all energy use within the buildings on the development should be zero or below.
Further information on all the products supplied by RainWater Harvesting Ltd is available by phone on 01733 405111, email: info@rwhpro.co.uk or by visiting the company’s website at www.rwhpro.co.uk
