News

A day in the life of our Schools Engagement Consultant Nick Couzens and the OurRainwater Team at one of our SUDS for schools' sessions.

What can you expect from one of our workshop days?

"Best day ever" - A group of Year 5 students
 

When it rains it pours for Our Rainwater: Nominated for Tech South West and SETsquared Awards

It's been an exciting time here at Our Rainwater! We're thrilled to announce that we've been nominated for not one, but two prestigious awards. From the Tech South West Awards to the SETsquared Community Recognition, it seems when it rains, it pours – and we couldn’t be happier about it!

At Our Rainwater we often talk about the various methods of rainwater management, and one method is rainwater capture. But why is it so important to us? Why should it matter to you?

Read here to find out...

International Day of Climate Action falls on the 24th of October every year to raise awareness of the pressing need to address climate change. Climate action could mean reducing greenhouse gas emissions or Improving adaptation to climate-cause issues.

Take a look outside, at your own front garden and what do you see?

Take a look up and down your street, is it mostly green or grey in your neighbours front gardens?

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, one in four front gardens are now completely paved over.

We spent two days with one of the largest primary schools in Europe... Ocklynge Junior School. Teaming up with Forest School Leader Mrs Lynsey Swingler, Our Education Consultant Nick Couzens along with help from Customer Engagement Officer Daniel Jones to deliver flood-prevention and STEM topics to an eager group of Year 4s & 5s. The Blue Heart Project funded scheme was a roaring success, with children asking us for more educational days like this!

World Environmental Health Day falls on the 26th of September every year which is set by the International Federation of Environmental Health and its purpose is to raise awareness of the significance of the health of our environment. Urban spaces are a threat to our environment through Urban Creep which massively reduces refuge for wildlife. In this post we discuss the ways in which urban biodiversity can be helped and amplified by Sustainable Urban Drainage Solutions (SUDS).

Did you know it is important to properly maintain your rainwater capture device, not just for longevity but for health reasons? Find out how and why in our easy to follow guide. This includes water butts and rain planters of all shapes and sizes!

Our climate is changing rapidly, more frequent and severe weather events are putting a strain on our natural resources through increased flood and drought risk. We need now more than ever to tackle and get ahead of these issues in a sustainable way. Engaging young people in water resource related issues and sustainability is vital for securing the next generation of innovators and leaders in the industry. As this is a complex problem that will take multiple stages to fix, educating the young people of today will ensure there is a future talent pool to inspire future generations.

National Allotments Week is a yearly event organised by The National Allotment Society and is designed to encourage allotment owners to show off their hard work to the public. This year's event is held from the 12th-18th of August, with a focus on promoting biodiversity. In this post we discuss biodiversity and how to improve it, climate change, and the benefits of rainwater. We know you love your green spaces, and so does our wildlife!

We caught up with Dr Ed Barsley, co-designer of the Flood Resilient Garden, following a highly successful RHS Chelsea Flower Show!

At this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Flood Re in collaboration with Dr Ed Barsley and Naomi Slade, unveiled the pioneering Flood Resilient Garden.

We’re delighted this fantastic project was recognised by the 2024 Susdrains SuDS Awards as winner of the Regeneration and Retrofit category! Part funded by Thames Water and Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Challenge, this incredible project was made possible in collaboration with the following project partners:

Thames Water, Groundwork, London Borough of Waltham Forest, London Borough of Lambeth, Farming Wildlife Advisory Group, Indepen and ISLE.

June 8th to 16th is The Great Big Green Week.

It is the biggest celebration of community-led action tackling climate change and protecting nature. 2022 saw over 250,000 people get involved!

Community action is the combined efforts of individuals, organisations and businesses and can produce hugely positive results, especially when focusing on issues of climate change and sustainability.

Hosted by WaterWise, this annual event celebrates its 8th year, rallying individuals, households, and communities to take action in conserving water resources. In this post, we delve into the significance of Water Saving Week, explore the challenges of water scarcity in the UK, and provide practical tips for everyday people to make a difference.

We are thrilled to have worked on The Flood Resilient Garden featuring at this years Chelsea Flower Show in collaboration with Flood Re, Dr Ed Barsley and Naomi Slade. Our experienced team provided technical expertise assisting in the creation process to help simulate a real garden experience in relation to rainwater capture and tank release.

March 22 marks an important date on the global calendar – World Water Day. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the invaluable resource that sustains life on our planet: water. As we acknowledge World Water Day, it’s crucial to reflect on the significance of water conservation and the collective efforts required to ensure its availability for future generations.

February 26th to March 4th is known as New Homes Week. Find out more below!

In a world where water scarcity is a growing concern, communities around the globe are turning to innovative solutions to secure their water supply and provide a more sustainable future for water resources.

Rainwater management is about making smart and sustainable choices when it comes to rainwater - it can be as simple as collecting and storing rainwater!

Nick Couzens our Education Consultant has been incredibly busy in recent months working on an exciting project! We spoke with him recently to find out what he has been up to and some of the highlights from his time working in Eastbourne.

We recently caught up with Sean MacLeod, Town Councillor and Project Chairman, and Lesley Boniface, Town Councillor and Community Engagement Officer to find out more about the flooding challenges faced in the Lewes and Newhaven area as well as an exciting community garden that will begin construction soon.

At Our Rainwater, we understand the challenges water companies and local authorities face when it comes to scaling up community-based initiatives. We've been listening closely to your needs, and we're here to provide comprehensive solutions tailored to your requirements.

From sensors to data driven solutions, an exploration of how the synergy of innovation is shaping the future of water management.

Our Rainwater is working in collaboration with Caroline Ansell MP, the Blue Heart Project, and Southern Water to provide 100 'slow release' water butts within Eastbourne to help reduce surface water flooding within the local area.