Make Your Street More Flood Prepared
By capturing rainwater for free with Catchment to Coast
Help tackle surface water flooding by slowing the flow of rainwater with a free water butt or rainplanter.
If you live in Southend-on-Sea, you may be eligible for a free rainwater capture device. We're helping residents in parts of Westcliff-on-Sea capture rainwater by installing free rainwater capture devices (like water butts and rainplanters).
How?
- Sign up in a couple of clicks to find out if your address can take part.
- Complete a quick questionnaire so we can assess your downpipes and space.
- If they're suitable you can book an appointment to have your rainwater capture device professionally installed - all for free!
Find out if you're eligible for a FREE rainwater capture device!
What's on offer...
There are 3 devices to choose from, depending on availability, your preferences and space.
We're excited to share that if you have enough space, you could have more than one device installed. A bit like recycling, the more you do - the bigger the impact!
Planters are ready for soil and planting at your own discretion. Soil and plants will not be provided.
- 120 Litre Smart Tank
- 255 Litre Pillar Planter
- 128 Litre Square Planter
Self emptying smart tank
This attractive and compact tank has an integrated planter and automatically empties before heavy rain, ensuring there is always space to capture rainfall and slow the flow.
- Height 820mm x Diameter 570mm x Diameter at base 360mm
- Reuse Availability: 120 Litres
- Reservoir Capacity: 120 Litres
- Colour: Textured stone
Photo Credit: Bioscapes
Understanding the impact
These devices will include a free monitor to improve understanding around how well they slow the flow of rainwater. The Catchment to Coast Project aims to increase knowledge about the best methods to tackle surface water and coastal flooding. This will inform other projects around the country!
By having a monitor fitted, you will not only help slow the flow of rainwater in, but help gather important data. But don't worry, these monitors only record water levels and nothing else.
What is Catchment to Coast?
Catchment to Coast is one of 25 DEFRA funded Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programmes (FCRIP) and is set across 17 sites throughout Thurrock and Southend.
By looking at different catchment areas, the project tackles challenges specific to each location to provide an overall positive impact. Working with impacted communities is key to finding the best solutions.
What are the goals?
The key goals of Catchment to Coast are to combat flooding and coastal erosion, and improve drought tolerance, in Southend and Thurrock.
Trialling new and innovative methods to investigate how effective they are, will help contribute to local, regional and national policy enabling the UK to adapt better to climate change. Through our collaboration with local communities we're working to improve conditions for wildlife, rivers, and the natural environment.
How is Our Rainwater helping?
We want to ‘slow the flow’ of rainwater - but what does this mean and how?
- Installing rainwater capture devices like water butts helps to 'slow the flow' of rainwater.
- Devices temporarily hold back water from drainage systems, decreasing pressure, especially during intense rainfall.
- This helps reduce the chances of overwhelm and impacts like surface water flooding and sewer spills.
- This is part of other aspects of Catchment to Coast, working together to improve flood preparedness.
What does this involve?
- Suitable properties will be retrofitted with water butts and rainplanters.
- Residents apply through the Our Rainwater website in just a few easy steps. Sign up
- Rainwater is captured directly from rooftops by disconnecting downpipes and diverting the flow of water.
- Devices and installations are completely free, and we handle the installations for you!
Imagine if we call captured rainwater from our rooftops!
Why is this needed?
Southend and Thurrock are facing several interrelated water challenges, including surface water flooding, tidal flooding and outfalls.
Flooding
The area is made up of different catchments that have specific challenges impacted by multi-source flood events and intense rainfall - which is happening more often! This is made worse by:
More Urban Areas
This includes roofs, concrete and tarmac (impermeable surfaces). Rain cannot soak (infiltrate) these areas, increasing surface water run-off.
Limited Sewer Space
There is only so much room in sewers. The increasing amount of heavy rainfall occurring more often along with increasing population levels means sewers can become overwhelmed.
Sewer Outfalls
This water that would usually soak into the ground, rushes into drains, putting more pressure on systems and overwhelming the sewage network. This can lead to ‘outfalls’ (pollution) where treatment plants cannot process all the water.
Frequent Tide-Locking
This is where high sea levels stop rivers draining away as normal, causing them to back up.
Southend on Sea Community
We're excited to announce this project will be resuming and we will be back in the area soon. Look out for the Our Rainwater team who will be in the area throughout May and June! Last year we visited 133 homes, chatted with local residents and businesses on and near Fairmead Avenue.
Community Impact
We've already had a very positive response, with lots of interest and residents spreading the word via Whastapp groups.
If you would like to take part, express your interest in just a few minutes by signing up.
Find out if you are eligible now!
Project Partners
The Project
What is this project about?
It’s part of the Catchment to Coast initiative, a DEFRA funded project operation across Southend and Thurrock. Capturing rainwater will help towards Catchment to Coast's goal of reducing flood risk and improving drought tolerance across Southend and Thurrock.
Why is this project important?
It will help protect homes and the environment by reducing surface water flooding, conserving water, and alleviating pressure on local sewers.
Eligibility and Participation
Who can sign up?
Residents in the Southend area with suitable properties. Check your eligibility here.
What does "property suitability" mean?
Your property must have the right drainage setup for rainwater capture, such as downpipes connected to gutters made from suitable material. Our friendly team will assist with this!
Does it cost anything?
No, it’s completely free to eligible households, thanks to the Catchment to Coast project.
How do I sign up?
Visit our sign up page, fill in your details, and we’ll be in touch to confirm eligibility.
What happens after I sign up?
If your property is in an eligible area, you'll be able to upload photos of your downpipes. This helps us check your property is suitable for an installation, which can be booked via our website.
Installations and Equipment
When will installations happen?
Installations are planned for the end of June. We’ll be in touch via email with specific dates that you can book easily online.
What’s included in the installation?
The installation includes the water butt or rain planter chosen, all professionally installed.
The planters will all be installed 'ready for planting' meaning you can place your own soil and plants to suit your individual space.
Monitors
Do I get to keep the monitors?
No we will arrange to come and collect them after a set amount of time
What privacy concerns are there regarding having a monitor? I'm a bit cautious with smart tech.
Our monitors don't connect to anything in your property nor have cameras or audio. These monitors simply measure the level of water in your rainwater capture device so we know how full/empty they get over time.
Do I have to do anything with the monitor?
No, but we may contact you at some point to arrange maintenance or our collection of the monitor.
Can I move the monitor around?
No, these monitors are the property of Our Rainwater and disturbing them can limit the accuracy of the data they collect.
Benefits and Maintenance
How does this benefit me?
You’ll save on water usage, contribute to helping flood prevention, and help your local community manage rainwater sustainably. These devices also come with planting space, brightening up your outdoor area!
How much water is available for reuse?
This depends on the device chosen and how many devices you have installed:
- 120 Litre Smart Tank > Up to 120 litres
- 255 Litre Pillar Planter > 50 litre for reuse
- 128 Litre Square Planter > no reuse unless 2 devices are installed (one for re-use and one to slow the flow)
How much water can the rainplanter or water butt hold?
Depending on the water butt or rain planter chosen your device may store between 0 and 255 litres of water. Please note that the water available for reuse varies by product and this figure is not the amount available for reuse.. If you are unsure, our customer service team will help you make the best choice.
How do I maintain the device?
Maintenance is minimal and involves simple tasks like cleaning filters or rinsing out the container annually. You can find out more on our maintenance page.
Can I use the water for anything?
No! Harvested Water is non-potable, meaning it can't be used for consumption, cooking or personal hygiene. It can be used for watering plants and crops or washing your car.
Environmental and Community Impact
How does this help prevent sewer spills?
By capturing and storing rainwater, the system reduces the amount of water entering the sewers during heavy rains, preventing overflows.
Can my whole street get involved?
Absolutely! The more people participate, the bigger the positive impact on the community. We'd love it if you could help spread the word!