In 2006/2007 we built our own reservoir, right beside the main nursery plot.
The principal aim was to make best use of rainwater from our barn and polytunnel roofs as well as to collect surface run-off from the car park. We were also able to capture water from a natural spring that rose along the southern edge of the Nursery.
All this water is now collected in a small holding tank, sited in a neighbouring wood, before being pumped into the main 6500 cubic metre reservoir. From there it passes through through a filter and chlorination process to eradicate any possible pests or diseases before being used extensively to irrigate the Nursery.
We hope that the reservoir will allow us to become virtually self-sufficient in water - a consideration that may become even more important should the British climate continue to alter in the ways suggested by recent trends. Not only will the reservoir reduce our costs as the price of water rises, but it will also be recycling in
its truest form!
We were delighted to receive a grant of £33,000 from SEEDA as part of their Water Efficiency Programme.The full cost of the project was some £80,000, but included some upgrading of our current irrigation mains and wiring.
Based upon the levels of our last pre-reservoir annual water bill, the entire cost of the project should be offset within the next 5-7 years.
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