Rainwater Harvesting

Why harvest rainwater?

Rising utility bills, reduction of running costs and environmental implications are just three reasons for investing in a Rainwater Harvesting system. 50% of domestic and up to 85% of non-domestic mains water can be replaced in this way.
Rainwater Harvesting is a key component to reach compliance within the Code for Sustainable Homes to reduce overall water consumption.

Additionally, rainwater re-use scores high creditation in the Water Efficiency sector of the BREEAM schemes and can help with gaining planning permission by meeting site drainage requirements (ref Building Regulations Part H) as part of a sustainable drainage (SuDS) scheme.

What are the benefits of saving rain?

Rainwater Harvesting Systems are becoming increasingly popular in Commercial / Public Agricultural buildings as higher water charges and water metering are predicted. Don't throw your money down the drain...

• The Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme offers a 100 per cent first-year allowance for investments in certain water efficient plant and machinery; Rainwater Harvesting Systems make financial sense!
• Rainwater Harvesting Systems help alleviate storm water management and flooding issues by redirecting water that would otherwise go straight to surface water or storm drains
• Reducing the amount of mains water, means reducing energy, pollution and CO2 emissions
• Rainwater is soft has no Limescale so appliances will live longer, clothing will be softer and detergent use is lower.
• Plants love rainwater as it contains no chlorine which is considered carcinogenic
• Most commercial premises have large roof areas and a high demand for water, the water captured could be used for non potable uses such as, toilet flushing, grounds maintenance, even fleet cleaning and machinery cleaning. All outdoor uses even to wash/feed animals, feed plants and garden fountains/sprinklers. All this for free!
• Imagine how much rainwater a commercial, retail, agricultural or industrial building could capture if average 4 bedroom houses capture more than 100,000 litres of rainwater each year!
• Harvested rainwater can be used when a hosepipe ban is in force
• The average UK water bill has increased 39.1% since 1989 (privatisation of Water Industry) re-using rainwater can save 50% of your mains water 
• Saving rainwater reduces the need for water treatment and transportation

Rainwater Harvesting systems are ideally suited to:

• Schools, universities and public buildings.
  
• Commercial offices.
  
• Warehouses and factories.
  
• Housing Associations, Local Authority buildings.
  
• Industrial developments.
  
• Farms and agriculture.
  
• Plant nurseries and garden centres.
  
• Health care: hospitals, care homes, clinics.
  
• Retail centres, supermarkets.

How can BSS Drainage Harvest your Rainwater?

BSS Drainage can provide solutions to rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling within commercial and industrial buildings.

We will facilitate the design and manufacture of rainwater harvesting systems with the market leaders. Our Rainwater Harvesting partner is regularly specified by the Top 150 construction companies and has major clients such as HM Prison Service, supermarket chains, Local Authorities, Universities and private companies.

Contact your Technical Services Team on 0116 256 7052 or complete the Project Enquiry Form

All our rainwater harvesting systems are developed to meet your site-specific requirements.

We take into account a number of factors when sizing your Rainwater Harvesting System, including:

• The roof area of the building.
• Local rainfall (based on 40 years of MET Office figures)
• Water demand and occupancy levels.
• Any existing specification or site-specific requirements.
• Filter co-efficient.
• BREEAM requirements.
• Customer budget.

Download the full BSS Drainage Rainwater Harvesting Guide.