The Welsh capital’s public transport company Cardiff Bus operates a fleet of some 240 vehicles, all of which require washing on a regular basis. As this consumes a vast amount of water, it was decided to explore the idea of utilising rainwater for this purpose for the main bus depot.

Cardiff-based specialists Natural Power UK approached Rainharvesting Systems Ltd. and together we devised and supplied the rainwater harvesting system, which was installed in 2011.

The pre-existing buildings and surrounding large areas of paved surface called for an above ground tank. We then devised an unusual solution using a sectional tank with a separate compartment at one end into which was fitted the distribution pumps, UV disinfection system and controls.

In the first six months of operation the system collected and used 447,000 litres of rainwater, giving the client significant savings.

In 2011 the project won an award from the Sustainable Water Industry Group (SWIG) for the best example of a retro-fit water saving scheme.