After securing a £9,879 grant through Severn Trent’s Community Fund, a new sustainable water collection system has been created at two allotment sites in Broughton Astley, Leicestershire.

The grant was awarded to Broughton Astley Parish Council in July, and will benefit up to 450 people at the community allotments that are currently at full capacity, with a waiting list.

Water was previously provided at the allotments using a metered supply to a handful of water troughs located sparsely around the plots, however plot owners had been concerned about older tenants who struggle to carry their full watering cans a long distance.

But thanks to the Severn Trent grant, an environmentally sustainable water collection system has been put in place at both sites that consists of water butts being made available to tenants who don’t have one, a water station installed at each site capable of collecting nearly 20,000 Litres of water per year, and a shed that is able to able to collect 3840 litres of water at each site.

Debbie Barber, Parish Manager, said: “Climate projections for the UK indicate that winters will become warmer and wetter, and the summers hotter and drier, so it’s important that we help conserve and sustainably harvest this important resource.

“Gardening is good for you and allotment gardening offers additional benefits that help to alleviate loneliness and enable citizens to contribute to society, especially beyond retirement. Our plot-holders are part of a community of like-minded people, many of whom are eager to share their knowledge and spare produce so they are really appreciative of what this grant has enabled them to do.”

Sue Heyes, Severn Trent Community Fund Officer, said: “At Severn Trent we’re passionate about taking care of one of life’s essentials, and by harvesting rainwater in this way, Broughton Astley Parish Council are doing their bit to take care of water as well. 

“As well as the obvious benefits to plot owners, rainwater harvesting systems like water butts and water stations reduces demand on our network during peak times during he summer months for example, so it’s a wonderful initiative.

“Making a potsitive difference to the communities we live and operate in is important to us so we hope that plot owners in Broughton Astley continue to enjoy their allotments for years to come.”

Severn Trent’s Community Fund was created for community groups and projects that aim to improve community wellbeing: 

• People: Projects that help people to lead a healthier life and gain new skills.

• Places: Projects that help to create better places to live in and use.

• Environment: Projects that will help look after our natural environment.

To find out more about the fund, and what projects have been awarded, please visit stwater.co.uk/communityfund.