Blue Heart Project Installation Terms and Conditions

Introduction

These Installation Terms and Conditions outline the terms and conditions governing the installation of a slow-release water butt at a householder’s property.

Who is offering the scheme?

The Blue Heart project in collaboration with Caroline Ansell MP have secured an initial 100 free ‘slow release’ water butts from Southern Water for homes in Eastbourne.  These can help prevent local flooding, contribute to higher bathing water quality for our town and for the individual homeowner, secure water for the garden in times of water stress and hosepipe bans. Blue Heart is a partnership project with East Sussex County Council (the lead partner), Eastbourne Borough Council, Wealden District Council, Southern Water, the Environment Agency and the Pevensey and Cuckmere Water Level Management Board.

What will I receive?

You will be provided with a ‘slow release’ water butt. A trial has been taking place in the Isle of Wight which has been very successful. 66% of residents took up the offer of a free installation, the result is a 70% reduction in storm overflows during late 2022.

Who will contact me to support the installation?

All communications will be through the Our Rainwater team. The Blue Heart project’s installation contractors will complete the installation in an agreed time window. Installers will carry ID cards and their details can be verified by calling East Sussex County Council on 01273 337832.

What happens after the installation?

Your ‘slow release’ water butt will slow the flow of rainwater into our sewer networks and help store rainwater for a sunny day, so we would like it if you could keep the water butt in place for as long as possible. We will continue to communicate with you via email and the Our Rainwater web platform. From time to time, we may invite you to share further images and information.

What about tank monitors?

Some householders may be offered tank monitoring devices that measure how your tank is performing at slowing the flow of water into the sewer network. This helps us to evaluate the impact of the scheme, and improve the design of our tanks for future schemes.

Not all householders will be offered a tank monitor, and if you are offered a tank monitor then you do not have to accept the offer, although we'd love it if you did, as you'd be helping us in our mission to help communities mitigate flooding and sewer overflows!

For up to 24 months after the installation of a tank monitor Our Rainwater  may contact you to to arrange the maintenance or recovery of the monitoring device. This should have little impact on the performance or look of your rainwater butt.

These tank monitors remain the property of Our Rainwater, and we ask that householders avoid disturbing them as this can limit the accuracy of the data that they collect.