Rainwater planters being offered to ‘slow the flow’ in Droylsden
United Utilities is offering residents in Droylsden the opportunity to apply for a free rainwater planter.
They are being offered to suitable homes to help manage the impact of rainwater in the town. By slowing the flow of rainwater during times of heavy rainfall, the planters can play an important role in easing pressure on the sewer network and help boost flood resilience.
The project is being delivered as part of United Utilities’ region-wide £280 million Rainwater Management programme.
David Bryan from the company’s Rainwater Management team explained: “Through our multi-million programme we are working with partners across the North West to introduce measures which will help manage rainwater where it falls. Capturing, removing or re-using rainwater before it enters the sewer network increases capacity in the system and means it can be channelled into green spaces to benefit communities and the environment.
“The planters we are offering to suitable homes in Droylsden provide a simple and effective way of helping to manage surface water and enhancing the town’s flood resilience. They will also give gardeners a helping hand during dry spells.”
The attractive planters will be installed onto a downflow pipe on eligible properties. They feature a 150-litre tank that holds back rainwater to prevent it all hitting the sewer network at the same time. There’s also a 30L rainwater storage tank which acts like a mini water butt, perfect for use around the garden.
They are also frost-proof and are provided with four different low maintenance plants which have been selected for their capacity to retain water.
A typical house roof gathers around 30,000 litres of rainwater every year – equivalent to 300 bathtubs of water. Typically, this water goes straight down the drain and mixes with the foul water putting extra pressure on sewers.
Through this scheme there is potential to stop up to 65,000 litres of excess rainwater from immediately entering the drainage network during just one heavy rainfall event – that’s the same as 434 bathtubs.