HBC: Olympic-sized water savings on allotments

Over the last 3 years the Council has worked closely with allotment tenants and the Hyndburn Federation of Allotments to make sure that the amount of mains water used is substantially reduced.  The days of cheap drinking water are long gone; the cost of mains water to tenants in 2012 was so great that it was exceeding the allotment rents.

The Council's main thrust was to move the water billing system from a one-size-fits-all policy to a policy of site-by-site billing.  Previously all tenants with mains water were charged £37.50pa, regardless of how much the particular site used.  From 2013 the Council introduced a policy of charging each allotment site according to how much the allotment site actually used.  Tenants have started to realise that the more water that is used the higher the water bill each year.

In 2012, the amount charged per tenant was £37.50; in 2015 this has been reduced to an average of £16.26 per tenant, a massive reduction.  Some sites are using more water than others, the lowest annual charge per tenant on one site being £9.41 and the highest being £46.83 per tenant on another site.

The quantities of water used have shown a dramatic reduction; in 2012, 6,400,000 litres of water was used, equivalent to 2.5 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Water saving has now reduced this down to 2,200,000 litres of water, less than one Olympic-sized swimming pool.

The Council aims to continue the downward trend, not only saving allotment tenants more money but also reducing the amount of Carbon Dioxide produced to atmosphere.  Cleaning water into drinking water requires massive amounts of energy.  Plants do not require mains water and will do better on rainwater.  The Council hopes to encourage more allotment tenants to turn to rainwater collection, which is free and does not result of carbon dioxide production.

From 2016, allotment tenants can opt out of the mains water billing system if they agree not to use the mains water and turn to rainwater collection.  The cost of purchasing a rainwater barrel is relatively small, the cost of which can be recovered after only a few of years not paying water bills.

Cllr Ken Moss, Cabinet Member for Allotments, said, “The amount of water saved over the last three years is amazing and has saved the allotment tenants lots of money.  We’re encouraging tenants to use more rainwater, as its plentiful and costs nothing.”

Cath Holmes, Chair of the Hyndburn Federation of Allotments, said “Water bills and excessive use have been one of the biggest gripes from allotmenteers.  It’s great that the Council tackled the issue and brought in a fairer system by billing on a site by site basis.  I think it has focused minds, resulting in a drastic reduction in the amount of mains water being used.  The option to opt out, takes that one step further.  Collecting rainwater is easy, environmentally friendly, better for your plants and free.”

Want your own allotment?  The Council still has some vacant allotment plots at the Woodnook, Meadoway and Baxenden allotment sites. Even more green fingered Hyndburn folk can now have the chance to grow their own fruit and vegetables. Allotment plots available include small, easy manageable raised beds to the larger allotment plots, where some good healthy digging will be needed, but well worth the reward of eating your own veggies and fruit.

Please contact the Council on 01254 388111 for more information about allotments.