Cornwall Charity to Save Over 250,000 Litres of Water a Year Thanks to Rainwater Harvesting

A charity in St Agnes which provides accommodation and support to single people in Cornwall is set to boost its rainwater harvesting capabilities, thanks to funding from South West Water’s Water-Saving Community Fund.

Helping to Save Water and Support Residents

Glen Carne houses 35 residents who may otherwise face homelessness, with many referred by local agencies such as Cornwall Council, homeless charities and mental health teams. Each resident has their own room, with shared cooking and laundry facilities which currently use metered water.

With support from South West Water, the charity is installing a new underground tank to collect and filter rainwater from two large buildings. The collected water will be reused for flushing toilets and running washing machines at the site, saving an estimated 258,550 litres of treated water every year.

When the tank is full, any excess water will be used to top up the site’s wildlife pond, which is home to ducks and other species.

📷Digging for the new water tank at Glen Carne

“A Practical and Sustainable Improvement”

Matt Gavan, CEO of Glen Carne, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to South West Water for supporting this important project. The new rainwater harvesting system will help us reduce our environmental impact, lower utility costs, and invest more into the support and services we provide to our residents. It’s a practical and sustainable improvement that will benefit both people and the environment.”

Paul Dommett, Water Efficiency Delivery Manager at South West Water, added:

“We’re delighted to support Glen Carne with their rainwater harvesting project.

By harvesting rainwater, the charity will save hundreds of thousands of litres of treated water every year and be able to focus even more on the vital work it does supporting vulnerable people in Cornwall.”

About the Fund

Since its launch in 2021, South West Water’s Water-Saving Community Fund has supported local not-for-profit organisations and community groups with projects that promote sustainability, conserve water, and strengthen local communities.

Last year, the fund supported 21 projects and helped to save over 2.7 million litres of water.

For more information about the fund, and for details on how to apply, visit South West Water’s Water Saving Community Fund page

📷The new water tank being delivered to Glen Carne