A project to collect rainwater from Fletchling Glasshouses two acre greenhouses was officially opened by Norman Baker MP last week.
Local growers and members of Transition Town Lewes - a network working on local solutions in response to the global problems of climate and economic change - gathered for the event in Sussex.
Baker said: “It’s a very good initiative today and I’m very happy to be here along with Meg Stroude, County Councillor to give official endorsement and congratulations to all those involved.”
Fletching Glasshouses nursery is home to Fletching Glasshouses Organic Produce and online plant gifts site Plants4Presents.co.uk.
Growing under glass does use a lot of water and now the site is in full production the glasshouses use a staggering 8,000 cubic metres of mains water a year making this kind of rainwater harvesting project an obvious sustainable solution.
Last year Fletching glasshouses were awarded an RDPE grant via SEEDA for this project and have spent the last few months installing a completely new system of pipes, drainage channels, pumps, filters and a reservoir.
Isobel Rae, director and project leader, said: “By making use of the water run off from the greenhouses to water our crops we expect to reduce our mains usage by 60-70 per cent.
“Not only is this kind of rainwater recycling much more environmentally friendly and sustainable but the nursery also expects to see significant benefits from the switch away from treated water. Rainwater is less chlorinated than mains water and the lower levels of salts and calcium help plants absorb nutrients better and grow stronger and more resilient to pest attack.”
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