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The Rain Director�

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Quick update on rainwater harvesting

A MARKET DESTINED TO GROW
Three years ago, rainwater harvesting was barely heard of. There were a select few who could see the logic of using rainwater collected off roofs whenever mains quality water was not necessary. But now many areas of Great Britain are actually under water stress. There are three ways to save on mains water consumption: alter people's behaviour, install water efficient appliances and use rainwater. A combination of all three is the way forward and at RainWater Harvesting Limited we aim to make rainwater harvesting practical and attainable for both the consumer and professional.

RAINWATER HARVESTING IS A MUST NOW
Rainwater harvesting is in fact obligatory in some situations. The Code for Sustainable Homes made it mandatory for the social sector, but the change in Building Regs Part G this October will draw in the private sector as well, making a 103 litre daily consumption per person the rule. Certainly this figure is much higher than the levels set by the Code (see below) but now water consumption will have to be considered as a matter of course.

INFORMATION AND PRICES READILY AVAILABLE
At RainWater Harvesting Limited we have always made full info and prices openly available. All prices are on our website RainWaterHarvesting.co.uk which hardly any other rainwater harvesting suppliers do. We also provide an on-line tank size calculator which allows you to make a provisional estimate of what you might need which can then be confirmed by one of our team. We also provide detailed installation manuals on line to give an idea of the work involved. Visit our information for download page here.

RULES AND REGS EVOLVING RAPIDLY
Rainwater harvesting is a new industry and slowly it is becoming more regulated. RainWater Harvesting Limited tries to keep abreast of all these changes and keep its clients informed.

Please look at our rules and regulations for further information

a) The Code for Sustainable Homes requires social housing to meet level 3, reducing mains water consumption to 85 litres per person per day by using rainwater harvesting and water efficient appliances. This is not presently obligatory for the private sector, but all new builds have to have a rating, even if it is a nil rating.
b) Building Regulations Part G will change in April 2010 to enforce a limit of 125 litres mains water consumption per head per day in new-builds.
c) Councils give priority to planning permission to applications with rainwater harvesting.
d) Flood Attenuation. Planners now encourage and impose rainwater harvesting to alleviate flood threats.
e) Businesses can benefit from the Enhanced Capital Allowance: 100% of material and installation costs of rainwater harvesting systems registered on Water Technology List can be offset against tax liability.
f) New legislation will give water boards greater hosepipe ban powers during water shortages. Hosepipes will be banned for topping up pools, hot tubs and decorative ponds, as well as for watering gardens and outdoor cleaning.
g) DEFRA can impose even more severe drought restrictions at any time.
h) British Standard 8515 came out in February 2009 on installation of rainwater harvesting (Code of practice rather than obligatory).

WATER CALCULATOR FOR CODE AND BUILDING REG G
The Code of Sustainable Homes has only existed a couple of years and already changes have been made to the Water Calculator formula. This same formula will be used for Building Reg. G.

For more information please see this Government planning information paper.

SAVING ENERGY
RainWater Harvesting Limited has been in the market for since 2007 and has developed its own products to meet what it felt were short-comings.

The Rain Director's® simply directs the flow of rainwater in the home. Rainwater from your storage tank is pumped up to a header tank and directed by the 12v control panel to your toilets, washing machine or garden tap.

The Rain Director® program settings ensure that the header tank water is fresher and that the pump in the rainwater tank works for the minimum amount of time.

The result is cleaner water, lower running costs and greater control on your mains water use.

More about the Rain Director®

RAINWATER HARVESTING AND SOLAR POWER
Rainwater harvesting is all about using a precious resource effectively and efficiently. All rainwater systems need a pump and this pump uses energy. RainWater Harvesting Limited has developed the award winning Rain Director® to meet the criticism that rainwater harvesting may save water but increases energy use. Rainwater is pumped from the storage tank to a header tank which gravity feeds appliances. The pump in the storage tank is only activated when the header tank is completely empty rather than every time an appliance is used. This saves 10 times on normal systems’ pump energy use.

The Rain Director® will also provide mains back up at all times, and program settings on its 12v control panel ensure fresh, clean water in the system. A solar-powered version will be available early next year which will reduce electricity use to zero.

More about the Rain Director®

WCs and WASHING MACHINES
WCs and washing machines represent 30 to 40% of mains water consumption in the home and can be supplied with rain rather than mains water. RWH co uk has compiled information on these appliances so that the maximum savings can be made by using rainwater with the most efficient appliances. Read our white paper on this subject.