Saving water at Eden

Since 2007-2008 (our baseline year), we have cut water consumption by 20%. We reduce our water usage in a variety of ways, ranging from taps that turn themselves off through to using harvested rain and ground water to irrigate our plants. Nearly half our water needs are provided from water we collect on site.

How we harvest water

Our underground drainage system collects all the water coming on to the site, which we use to irrigate our plants and flush our loos. We also harvest the rainwater that falls on the Biomes to irrigate the Rainforest Biome, top up its waterfall and maintain the high humidity inside.

How we reduce water use

To avoid using too much mains water at Eden, we:

• use rain and ground water wherever possible
• monitor our water use via a meter, even on our watering hoses
• have invested in the best water-efficient products we can, including low-flush toilets and taps which turn themselves off.

Why is saving water important?

Even though water doesn't appear in short supply in the UK, using less mains water at Eden actually means we are:

• Reducing energy use. The process of cleaning waste water at sewage plants is energy-intensive. All of it is cleaned to drinking standard, whereas a lot of it is just going down the toilet. Heating water – for example, for sinks – also requires lots of energy.
• Saving money. We pay for the mains water we use via a meter, and for any energy we use to heat it, so it is in our interest to keep this to a minimum.