Rainwater Harvesting and Soak aways

After having been told that we needed a soak away, I have decided to also put in  a rainwater harvesting system as in the short time I have lived in Cambridge it has become clear that it is much drier here than in the Midlands. No doubt there will be hose bans in the future so not good if you want to have a 100% edible garden.  Besides, I can also use the water for doing laundry (with soft water) and flushing the wc.

I found a UK company who manufactures the tanks and also supplies the UK made submersible pumps.  I have asked Sean to order one today. As  they are so local, it might be that we will pick up if they cannot deliver in the next couple of day.

Ecosure   
Jon James

Etills Ltd

Unit 1 Whiting Way

Melbourn

Cambs

SG8 6NA

Tel: 01763 261 781

Fax: 01763 268 409

For a 1500 Litre system they are charging £899+VAT

Yesterday, the tank was picked up and today Warren is digging an enormous hole to fit in the tank. The top of the tank will be situated in the middle of the raised bed area, we will put the pea gravel over it so it is hidden but accessible if need be. There is a separate drum with the filter that is placed between the water supply and the tank,  so all water should be very clean before it reaches the holding tank. The filter needs to be cleaned every now and again, but should not be a problem. Fingers crossed!

We are now the middle of July and focus has gone to the garden. Peter and Richard have put together the beds and put in the grids for the pea shingle around the rainwater harvesting service

On 10th May 2018 Sean Fallon called Jon to report that the pump is not working properly. It works and then stops. He was told that the Hydropforle series 3 pump  has 2 years warranty and that he was going to look for the hard copy of the invoice. He said that we ordered the system on the 1st February, but we picked up in July. We are just trying to establish if it is still under warranty.

We were given the telephone number of the Technical team 01733 405111 who might be able to explain over the phone what to do. We are awaiting instructions.

On 4th August 2025 we called Rob Cooper to try and sort out the pump as it had stopped working.