New rain gardens and green spaces help protect Sefton schools from flooding
School playgrounds across Sefton are being transformed by United Utilities with more than £1.1m of investment in new rain gardens and green spaces to help manage rainfall, reduce flood risk, and create new places for children to learn.
The project has seen 22 rain gardens, 68 planters and four tree pits installed across nine schools as part of the company's Rainwater Management Programme.
The rain gardens alone offer more than 300,000 litres of additional storage, capturing rainfall and slowing the flow of water before it reaches the sewer network - helping to reduce pressure on the system during heavy rainfall. This is the equivalent of approximately 2000 bathtubs of water.
At the same time, the new planting and green spaces are giving pupils opportunities to learn more about nature, biodiversity, and the water cycle.
The schools involved in the project were Hatton Hill Primary School, St Robert Bellarmine Catholic Primary School, St Philip’s Church of England Primary School, Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School, Kings Leadership Academy Hawthornes, St William of York Catholic Primary School, Valewood Primary School, Holy Spirit Catholic Academy and English Martyrs Catholic Primary School.
All schools who took part were also offered a free water audit to see if they could save money on their bills by identifying and fixing any small leaks.
Tim Armour, Head of Rainwater Management at United Utilities, said: "Helping communities become more resilient to the impacts of flooding is a key priority for us, and sustainable drainage systems have an important role to play in achieving that.
"By creating rain gardens, planters and tree pits in schools across Sefton, we're not only helping to manage rainfall in a more sustainable way and reduce pressure on the sewer network, but we're also creating attractive outdoor spaces where children can learn about nature, biodiversity and the water cycle.
"This investment demonstrates how simple, nature-based solutions can deliver long-term benefits for both communities and the environment, while helping us build a more resilient wastewater network for the future."
One Headteacher involved in the project, Jennifer Drane, from St Philip’s Church of England Primary School, said: “The project has transformed our environment, not only by providing sustainable drainage solutions for our largely impermeable playground, but also by creating beautiful, vibrant spaces that enrich the experiences of our children every day. The stunning planted frontage has significantly enhanced the appearance of our school, with the thoughtfully coloured benches adding the perfect finishing touch.
“The planters and rain gardens are already sparking curiosity and fascination among our children, who are excited to observe the plants and wildlife and learn more about how rainwater can be managed in such a clever and environmentally friendly way. These wonderful new spaces provide invaluable opportunities to bring learning to life, supporting our ongoing eco work and helping children develop a deeper understanding of biodiversity, sustainability, and the natural world.
“Our recent achievement of a Green Flag Award reflects our children's enthusiasm and commitment to caring for the environment, and this project provides further inspiration to build on that success. We are truly thankful to United Utilities for helping us create a greener, more welcoming, and inspiring school, where our children can continue to explore, learn and take pride in making a positive difference to the world around them.”
Cllr Joanne Williams, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “We’re delighted to see schools across Sefton benefitting from United Utilities’ investment into long-term solutions to drainage and flooding resilience.
“We want to see a cleaner, greener Borough that is equipped to deal with the effects of climate change. These additions to school grounds, as well as the education opportunities that will give the next generation the tools to understand and appreciate their environment, will make a significant difference for years to come.”