Residents invited to join free rainwater planter scheme in Bunbury and Spurstow
Residents invited to join free rainwater planter scheme in Bunbury and Spurstow
United Utilities is encouraging residents in Bunbury and Spurstow to sign up for a free rainwater planter scheme.
The scheme is designed to help protect local watercourses, reduce pressure on drainage systems, and boost climate resilience across the community.
As part of the initiative, eligible homeowners can receive a rainwater planter supplied and installed completely free of charge. Connected directly to a property's downpipe, the planters temporarily capture rainwater from roofs during heavy rainfall, helping to slow the flow of water entering local drainage networks and watercourses.
The project forms part of United Utilities' wider £280 million rainwater management programme across the North West, which is transforming how rainwater is collected and managed. By working with local communities, councils and partners, the programme is introducing sustainable drainage and nature-based solutions that reduce flood risk, improve resilience, and help communities make better use of rainwater.
Bunbury and Spurstow have been chosen for this project as part of work to reduce storm overflow spills in the area and improve water quality in the River Gowy.
If enough residents across Bunbury and Spurstow sign-up to the scheme, the community could collectively prevent more than 10,000 litres of excess rainwater from immediately entering the drainage network during a single heavy rainfall event, equivalent to more than 70 bathtubs of water.
A typical house roof gathers around 30,000 litres of rainwater every year – equivalent to 200 bathtubs of water. Typically, this water goes straight down the drain and mixes with the foul water putting extra pressure on sewers.
Each planter can hold up to around 100 litres of rainwater, while also providing 20 litres of reusable water for residents to use in their gardens, acting as a miniature water butt while supporting local planting and biodiversity.
The planters are frost-proof and are provided with four low maintenance starter plants which have been selected for their capacity to retain water.
David Bryan from the company’s Rainwater Management team explained: "We know that managing rainwater differently is one of the most effective ways to build resilience against the increasing impact of heavy rainfall. These free rainwater planters give residents a simple way to make a real difference locally while also creating a practical and attractive addition to their gardens.
"The more people who take part, the greater the benefit for the whole community. Together, Bunbury and Spurstow residents could help keep thousands of litres of rainwater out of the drainage network during storm events, helping to protect local watercourses and support a more Sustainable future.
“The window to apply will close in around two weeks’ time, so we’d encourage local residents to submit their applications as soon as they can."
