Rainwater Harvesting

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Why is the project relevant to you?

The availability of public water supply is becoming increasingly challenging, particularly for non-domestic supply. Over the coming years this challenge will continue to increase as the water industry works to bring new large scale sources of supply online, compounded by growth and a changing climate (leading to a greater likelihood of low flow events and droughts). This, coupled with the fact that water companies do not have a requirement to provide potable water to new non-domestic properties, means that there might be a gap between the needs/demands of new non-domestic properties and those that will be offered a connection into the system.

Key messages for Developers & Infrastructure

Assuming incorporation of rainwater harvesting public buildings, retail, leisure, and offices have the highest simulated average annual non-potable water demand saving per m2 of floor space. This is due to their higher occupancy levels and consequently higher levels of demand.

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The study has shown that non-domestic rainwater harvesting systems are supply-limited (constrained by the amount of rain that has fallen). This means that all water that falls can be actively used to reduce spend on public water supply.

There could be opportunities for new developments to offset their 'new' demands on public water supplies by retrofitting rainwater harvesting systems in existing settings.

Investment in rainwater harvesting, either in new properties or through retrofitting, would provide businesses with greater water supply resilience, potentially future-proofing business expansion.