subject: Beat The Hosepipe Ban With A Rainwater Harvesting System [print this page] During the autumn, winter and spring seasons, the UK seems to get its fair share of rainfall. Never a day seems to go past when we don't need our umbrellas and waterproof clothing to go outside, or we have to go running somewhere to shelter from the latest sudden downpour. Why is it then, that when we get to summer, we are forbidden to use hosepipes to wash cars and tend to our gardens because we are suddenly in a drought situation?
One of the main reasons for a hosepipe ban is there are a lot of people that are bad at saving mains water, and that in turn means there is less available mains water for the rest of us. If only everyone used reliable rainwater harvesting systems for a means of collecting their own water, then we could be saving mains water and there would be plenty of water to go around, and we could use hosepipes all year long. Unfortunately, people are very good at wasting water. Leaving a tap running while brushing teeth, or neglecting to fix a dripping tap may seem fairly harmless, but if hundreds or maybe thousands of people do this, then it can mean millions of gallons wasted each year. Plus of course, a quarter of water usage in the home is flushed down the toilet.
For those of us who do know about re-using rainwater, the solution is oh so simple. The amount of rain harvesting an average home can collect can actually save up to a half of the normal consumption. When put into a quantifiable amount, 150 litres a day on average per person becomes nearly a quarter of a million litres for a four-person household each year. If each household can save just half of that, then the impact is obvious.
Using underground storage tanks for effective rain harvesting is one way we can save mains water. Recycled rainwater is just as good, if not better, than using mains water for washing and cleaning, so it makes sense to make use of it. In addition, when your neighbours are complaining about not being able to use their hosepipe, you'll have an ample of supply of water that can be used for watering your garden, washing the car, washing your children's bikes, and even sharing with your neighbours when they want their car to be as clean as yours!
