Case study: Cherry Tree School

The background

In 2008, Cherry Tree School completed a major refurbishment and building programme as part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF). Part of the project was to deliver a sustainable building design with a reduced water footprint, and rainwater harvesting was identified as the most effective method of achieving this.

The solution

Waterscan designed the rainwater system with the specific requirements of the school in mind. The system had to be delivered as a complete package with rainwater tanks, integrated rainwater controls and mains water back up. The Aqua-Controller 500 was ideally suited as it combines all the rainwater and pump controls in one simple-to-fit solution, without the need for header tanks or expensive filteration. The AQ 500 also has integrated metering and remote alarms that provide a completely automated system for the school. The system is also fully compliant with the new BS 8515, the Code of Practice for the Installation of Rainwater Harvesting Systems.

The project was supported by an Education Pack for the school, which helps pupils gain a greater understanding of the sustainable issues surrounding water converation and rainwater recycling as part of the National Curriculum.

Waterscan clients such as Tesco and Whitbread were frontrunners of the 'Reduce your Water Footprint' revolution and have both achieved substantial reductions in water consumption through rainwater harvesting.

The result

Installed and commissioned in June 2008, the system has recovered and reused 480m³ of rainwater for toilet flushing and irrigation. Mains water back-up has only been used for three days since installation.