South West Water says approximately 11 million litres of tap water is expected to be saved each year thanks to community funding for water-saving projects in its region.

As Devon and Cornwall remain officially in drought, South West Water’s Water Saving Community Fund is helping projects across the South West save water through innovative solutions.

Launched in 2021 as a first of its kind for the water company, the fund is designed to support community groups and registered non-profit organisations within South West Water’s service area who can provide a benefit to the community by saving tap water and demonstrating a reduction in water use.

Since April 2022, the Water Saving Community Fund has provided £100,000 to 47 local causes for a range of projects from installing irrigation systems at nature reserves and primary schools, to the building of wildlife ponds in education spaces to encourage learning about the value of water and its impact on the environment.

One of the projects recently supported is Lanjeth Allotments in Cornwall, which received funding for a rainwater harvesting project they estimate could save up to 60,000 litres of tap water each year.

Managed by a group of volunteers from the Lanjeth Playing Field Association Committee, the 10 allotments have no mains water, with the majority of people transporting water from their homes to use on the plots.

Adding three 1,000-litre water storage tanks to their existing storage ensures easy access to vital supplies for watering, particularly during this time of drought.

Paul Dawkins, from Lanjeth Playing Field Association, said:

“Our grant from South West Water enabled us to significantly increase rainwater storage capacity at our allotments. It really demonstrates effective use of funding, negating all the costs associated with using treated water as well as the cost of transporting it from allotment holders’ homes.”

South West Water’s Chief Customer and Digital Officer, Laura Flowerdew, commented:

“Our water resources have been put under immense pressure over the last year and we thank everyone for their support in saving water wherever they have been able to.

“Our innovative Water Saving Community Fund supports projects in exploring innovative ways to reduce the amount of tap water used and helps ensure there is enough water for everyone throughout the summer, whilst also protecting our beautiful environment across Devon and Cornwall.

“Meanwhile, we are playing our part by investing an additional £125 million by 2025 in water resilience schemes to bring new water sources online, and finding and fixing three times more leaks than last year.”