Hosepipe ban and heatwave cause flood of rainwater harvesting systems orders

The current heatwave, and the prospect of a hosepipe ban starting in rthe North West next month, has caused a huge spike in sales of domestic rainwater harvesting systems.

Manchester-based Freeflush – which designs, supplies and installs rainwater harvesting water systems to businesses and domestic customers – reported a 169% increase in sales of domestic rainwater harvesting products in June 2018, compared with June 2017.

During the same period, website traffic also increased 131%.

“In the UK, we have water – quite literally – on tap, meaning a lot of people just don’t think about the risk of it running out,” said company founder Junaid Patel.

“It takes something like a heatwave and hosepipe ban for people to suddenly realise we all need to change our behaviours and attitudes towards our water usage.

Mr Patel, who is also a chartered environmental engineer, added: “Our water supplies are already overstretched, and as we see the impact of global warming and a growing population increase we all need to do our bit to help.

“Once you have a rainwater harvesting system installed at home you can use the water for gardening and washing the car, as well as toilet flushing and washing machines.

“And as well as being better for the environment, it can also save homeo wners money, too.”

Freeflush launched early in 2017, initially providing systems to commercial customers, working with the likes of John Turner Construction Group and JCDecaux.

It has now diversified into domestic rainwater systems, which are designed to reduce water usage in the home by up to 45%.