The water industry are actively considering how they are going to meet current and future domestic and non-domestic water demand. Rainwater harvesting, particularly in non-domestic properties, is a way of reducing the demand on public water supply, as it is as an alternative source of supply that can be used where the high quality controls needed for drinking water are not needed. This type of measure would not reduce the number of connections needed to the water supply network, because most (if not all) premises will still have a requirement for some of their water to be of drinking water standards. Most evidence around rainwater harvesting at a site level is focused on the individual property level, which might not be an attractive point of engagement for the water industry, however this project has considered what widespread implementation could look like at a local authority or regional scale.
