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One week, one report says the economy is reviving, the next week another report is gloomy. The construction industry has remained in negative growth for the last 18 months. So it seems nearly cocky to say that the current marketplace for rainwater harvesting is distinctly sunny. According to the Rainwater Harvesting Federation, sales of systems have increased 300 percent in the last 2 years.

Rainwater harvesting is a new market in the UK and the first detailed market research report by MTW Research came out in April 2008 estimating for that year #8 million, strong growth to 2012 and then consistent growth to 2020. The German market was worth #251 million in 2007, and we’re expecting the British market will head towards that figure.

What are the reasons for this optimistic view?

Unfortunately the rosy future for rainwater harvesting arises from the increasingly serious shortage of mains water supply in the UK, where many areas are already under “water stress”. The general public has become more and more aware of the problem with rising water bills. Furthermore, the hosepipe bans during the very hot summer of 2006 brought home the reality of water shortages, and floods in 2007 and 2008 reinforced the belief in climate change. Also, as the government pressures us to reduce water consumption, rainwater harvesting will slowly become a necessity throughout building sectors using the following measures:

a) The Code for Sustainable Homes has required social housing to meet level 3, reducing mains water consumption to 105 litres per person per day by using rainwater harvesting and water efficient appliances. This should become obligatory for the private sector in 2010.

b) The Building Regulations Part G change in October 2009 enforces a limit of 125 litres mains water consumption per head per day in new-builds.

c) Councils give priority to planning permission to applications with rainwater harvesting.

d) Flood Attenuation. Planners now encourage and impose rainwater harvesting to alleviate flood threats.

e) Businesses can benefit from the Enhanced Capital Allowance: 100% of material and installation costs of rainwater harvesting systems registered on Water Technology List can be offset against tax liability.

f) New legislation will give water boards greater hosepipe ban powers during water shortages. Hosepipes will be banned for topping up pools, hot tubs and decorative ponds, as well as for watering gardens and outdoor cleaning.

g) In February 2009, the British Standard 8515 was introduced on the installation of rainwater harvesting (Code of practice rather than obligatory).

What is going to happen in 2010?

In the domestic sector, growth will continue strongly when Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes becomes mandatory, helped by the change in Building Regulations. Average cost of an installation in a new build is #2000 to #3000. Retrofitting will see slower growth as not normally obligatory and more expensive. Commercial installations will continue to grow as the payback period on the investment is usually much quicker, and boosted by ECA tax scheme which the domestic sector does not as yet benefit from.

Related posts:

1. Rainwater Harvesting helps lower your Water Bills
2. Rain Water Harvesting System
3. Is the New Oil, Rain Water?
4. Green Plumbing – Rainwater Harvesting and Tanks, Grey Water and Solar Hotwater Sytems – Melbourne, Australia
5. Rainwater harvesting yield