Community Centric Rainwater Management Project
Find Out How Community-Driven Rainwater Management Transformed Three Communities
This award-winning project, recognised by Susdrain's SuDS Awards 2024, showcases the power of collaboration and innovation in tackling water management challenges. By working closely with communities, we implemented sustainable solutions that slowed 17,000 litres of rainwater (estimated at the time of writing the blueprint), reduced peak flow by 70%, and enhanced local biodiversity.
Looking to replicate this success in your area? Book a call to explore how we can help you create a community-centric rainwater initiative tailored to your needs.
Key Achievements
Flow figures estimated at time of blueprint creation*.
Rated 4.2/5 by Householders
Achieved 46% Installation Rate
Attenuated Run Off from 1800m2
Slowed 17,000 litres of Rainwater
Peak Flow Reduced by 70%
Overview
The Community Centric Rainwater Management Project is an award-winning initiative recognised by Susdrain's SuDS Awards 2024 in the category Regeneration and Retrofit - Private Properties". Initiated through Ofwat's Water Breakthrough Challenge, the collaborative project resulted in success across three differing communities and a Blueprint around successfully implementing catchment-scale rainwater management solutions throughout communities.
Through a collaborative approach, community engagement events, and a user-centric platform, this project delivered dozens of rain planters to multiple residential areas. Rainplanters helped to slow water flow into drainage systems, provided a water source for household gardens, and engaged residents in sustainable water practices. This initiative offered direct environmental benefits to communities and set a new standard for cross-departmental collaboration in local water management.
Project Partners
Read What Project Partner, Thames Water Had To Say...
"At Thames Water, we are looking for innovative ways to manage water sustainably, and the Community Centric Rainwater Management project with Our Rainwater has been standout success, and this is success was recognised by the projects award at CIRIA susdrain awards 2024. The projects initiative allowed us to explore how simple decentralised rainwater management solutions such as waterbutts can enhance resilience, reduce pressure on drainage infrastructure, and empower local communities to take an active role in sustainable water use.
Working with Our Rainwater, we were able to implement a scalable approach to capturing, storing, and reusing rainwater within urban environments. Their expertise in rainwater harvesting, combined with a deep understanding of community needs and the most effective methods of community engagement, provided us with the learning and insight into the reasons why customers currently don’t capture their rainwater, and what we can do to help change their mind and their neighbours.
One of the key successes of this project was the ability to engage local communities. By fostering collaboration between residents, community groups and local authorities, we saw first-hand how community ownership and involvement can drive the uptake of waterbutts at scale. The engagement strategies deployed by Our Rainwater were instrumental in ensuring that the project had a lasting impact beyond the pilot phase.
The partnership with Our Rainwater has been a great example of how innovation and collaboration can help us meet the challenges of water management in an increasingly unpredictable climate. We look forward to continuing our work and building on the momentum created by this project. Our Rainwater has been an invaluable partner in this journey, and I highly recommend their expertise to any organisation looking to implement sustainable and community-driven water solutions." Craig Boorman, Principal Environmental Engineer at Thames Water
Achieving Successful Uptake of Passive Draining Rainwater Planters Across 3 Contrasting Communities
This ambitious project engaged residents in a widescale rainwater management project across three contrasting urban and rural settings. With the aim of slowing the flow of water into our drainage systems to tackle surface water flooding and CSOs, we successfully involved residents in the solution and produced a blueprint for community centric rainwater management. Read the blueprint here.
100% would recommend the project to a friend or neighbour
Enhanced amenity and biodiversity of neighbourhoods through thoughtful rainplanter design
2,000 litres of rainwater is now attenuated
How did Targeted Engagement ensure the Success of this Project?
Scalable Digital Engagement Activities
Tailoring our approach to each of the three locations ensured effective messaging that engaged and resonated with residents. Using multiple online channels, content strategy and easy to understand marketing materials channelled householders towards a dedicated landing page on the Our Rainwater platform. This page provided project information, its many benefits and importance of taking part funnelling users into our streamlined sign-up process.
Leveraging digital innovation and our purpose-built online platform enabled widespread uptake of the project in multiple areas. Our approach is not only highly scalable but supports long-term engagement of residents ensuring they take care of the asset whilst engaging with messaging around water sustainability, water consumption and the importance of rain as a resource.
Creating a Buzz in the Community
Our digital approach was complemented by in person activities and marketing material. A successful engagement day launched the project in Lambeth, creating a buzz throughout the community and a deep understanding of its goals and importance.
"Service went smoothly, tank works well, I heard about them from multiple sources, really appreciate it"
"Brilliant. Super efficient and I am delighted with my water butt."
"Great product, good experience and very happy with water butt."
Using Real-Time Monitoring Data for Long-Term Strategy
The Benefits of Monitoring
Monitoring assets not only highlights their impact but validates projects and contributes towards regulatory goals. Real-time monitoring, supported by a bespoke water company dashboard, ensures assets are functioning at their best for maximum impact long-term.
Through real-time monitoring we can gather insights, including:
- Whether the tank is still present
- Blockages that need addressing for optimal impact
Data from monitoring highlighted a potential blockage in a residents rainplanter. This information combined with our long-term engagement strategy focused on maintaining relationship and fostering community participation, ensures devices are maintained in the long-term. In this instance, the householder cleared the blockage and the rainplanter resumed working efficiently.
In Collaboration With
Thames Water Rainwater Planter
The Thames Planter is a specially designed tank that combines sustainability with community engagement. Its two-tank system includes a 30-litre internal reservoir that retains water for reuse and a larger 235-litre tank with a low-maintenance flow restrictor, ensuring passive stormwater storage without the risk of blockages.
This innovative design guarantees that the tank is ready to manage rainfall effectively while reducing runoff. The planter also features integrated planting trays, allowing residents to grow flowers, fruits, or vegetables. This not only enhances local biodiversity but also adds aesthetic and practical value to neighbourhoods, fostering a greener, more vibrant community space.
Watch more below
Or read about it here
Community Rainwater Management Blueprint
Jointly funded by Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Challenge Catalyst Fund and Thames Water.