Power your hose the eco way

Q. Rain water harvesting, what is it all about?

It’s about managing water consumption for ourselves and future generations. The idea of turning on a tap or a hosepipe without thinking and the related high levels of water wastage are almost certainly coming to an end. We are now at a point where future generations will need to manage in a world in which water consumption rates are around  less than half those currently.

Much of the water we use does not need to be of drinking quality. In fact, studies show that 55 per cent of domestic treated water could be substituted for rainwater in areas such as flushing toilets, running washing machines, cleaning cars and watering the garden.

Q. What is the easiest system for me to implement at home?

Rainwater harvesting systems which supply toilets and washing machines, such as our own Envireau, have to be part of the internal plumbing of the building.  Practically and financially they are more suited to installing in new-build homes (including self-build projects) or as part of major restoration projects.

For those living within an existing property, a more realistic solution would be installing a system that irrigates the garden, such as our Raintrap.

Whether for internal or external usage, however, both systems work in broadly the same way:  they collect rainwater from the roof and the guttering, filter it, and store it in an underground tank containing a pump and filter.

If the water is to supply a loo or a washing machine, it is then pumped (from the harvesting tank) either directly to the appliance, or indirectly.  Indirect systems are gravity-fed from a header tank in the roof, to the appliance(s) in question.  These systems are backed-up by mains water, which will automatically take over if the tank is empty at no inconvenience to the home owner.

For garden systems, the water is pumped from the holding tank to a hose or sprinkler system, which means you no longer have to trudge back and forth to a water butt, filling and refilling a watering can.  And, as an added bonus, plants will appreciate the warm, soft, chlorine-free rainwater.   The smallest Raintrap system holds the equivalent of 560 average-sized watering cans of water (2,800 litres).

There are plenty of companies offering rainwater harvesting equipment at the moment, but when choosing a supplier it’s important to consider the level of after-sales support you will receive as well as equipment compliance within the current and future regulatory environment.  UK manufacturers are bound by the new British Standard BS8515 for rainwater harvesting, Building Regulations, and even more importantly WRAS regulations, so you can be sure you are getting a system which is fit-for-purpose.

TIP: If you are considering installing rainwater harvesting as part of a new-build or self-build project, contact the manufacturer for their guidance at the start of the project planning process.  All too often this consultation happens when the plumbing is already part-complete, which can mean costly rebuilding work to reconfigure the system. Or it may be configured into an overly complex design, which then gives rise to the (incorrect) belief that it is a complicated and high maintenance system.

Q. How much will it set me back and what will the savings be in the long term?

Rainwater recycling systems cost between £1,100 and £2,600, depending on the size of the system and specific requirements. However, this cost can be recouped in terms of money saved for people on water meters.

A single family typically uses 70,000 litres of water each year on flushing toilets, washing clothes, and on irrigating gardens while the amount of rainwater, meanwhile, that falls on the roof of the average four-bedroom house is estimated at more than 100,000 litres per year (source: UK Rainwater Harvesting Association).

A full rainwater recycling tank for a two-storey house with a 100m² roof could provide enough water for 200 toilet flushes, 30 full washing machine cycles and 12 car washes. A 100m² roof area can yield up to 120m³ of rainwater per year with a value of up to £2.56m³, giving an annual saving of £256 for a property on a water meter.

The garden typically consumes 40 per cent of total household water use in the summer alone – so recycling rainwater could save homeowners thousands of gallons of tap water each year, as well as cutting bills and energy usage.

Mamouna Keita, cotton farmer, Mali

The British public expect fair pay and fair treatment for workers in developing countries, and the vast majority, 86%, feel a personal responsibility to ensure workers are fairly compensated.

The in-depth GlobeScan poll of 1,500 people was commissioned by the Fairtrade Foundation ahead of World Fair Trade Day (8 May), which is the international campaign to improve the lives of small producers, farmers and artisans around the world.

Making a personal difference to sustainable development and fairness makes shoppers feel good, with one in five people saying they want to do their part. Women are slightly more motivated by the feeling of doing good than men. And if companies get it right, over 60% of shoppers are likely to recommend Fairtrade products to friends and colleagues, generating further sales.

The FAIRTRADE Mark came top as the most trusted certification label and the majority of people, (64%) link Fairtrade to fair pay for producers and workers.

Cheryl Sloan, Marketing Director at the Fairtrade Foundation said: ‘It is very encouraging that UK consumers continue to be very receptive to Fairtrade and show high levels of awareness, familiarity and purchasing. Fairtrade is clearly no longer a fringe sector within retail. But companies should also take note that shoppers are prepared to send a very strong message to them about their global accountability.’

The survey showed that Fairtrade clearly adds value to products and strongly impacts on people’s intention to buy. 90% of active ethical consumers say the FAIRTRADE Mark on pack helps the product create a positive impression and many say it makes them more likely to buy a specific brand.

Not for one minute do you feel your luxury treatment is ever compromised by any of the eco initiatives the hotel has used to win its gold green award. Seeming to hit all areas; there are energy reduction measures such as efficient lighting and condensing boilers, fair-trade products are used throughout the hotel, and the restaurant’s menu features fish from sustainable sources and local produce where possible.

The Cavendish then goes the extra mile by encouraging delegates at business conferences and meetings to engage in green behaviour. The meeting package includes a carbon offsetting fee, environmentally friendly cars receive a 50% discount in the hotel’s underground car park, while non paper based communication is encouraged, all paper is recycled or from paper mills that support sustainable practices. There are recycling bins everywhere and people are proactively encouraged to use them, mobile phones can be charged with wind up chargers, staples that don’t use staples are on offer, non toxic marker pens made from recycled parts are used, indeed real attention to detail is a constant theme throughout.

Not content with this, the hotel has plans for a n energy efficient life, has a green team that trains the back end staff, a new low water dishwasher is planned and the grand vision whereby everything used is recycled !

So you can cycle to the hotel, leave your bike in the secure lock up, know that energy efficiency is everywhere, everything is fair trade, and the food you eat is as ethically sourced as possible, while you’ll still receive top 4 star London luxury in a great location including excellent views of the city. We will definitely be looking to stay at the Cavendish again and hope you manage to give it a try.

The Cavendish Hotel, 81 Jermyn Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 6JF: Telephone: 020 7930 2111 or www.thecavendishlondon.com