Grove Allotment Association Proposal

The Strategic Objective is to increase the amount of rainwater collected and reduce mains water use by a minimum of 34m3, which is a reduction of 10% on the recorded mains water use for 2025.

Between 14 April 2025 and 11 November 2025 Grove Allotment Association, a registered Co-operative Society, used 340m3 mains water at a cost of £927.00 across its two Stand Road sites. At 9 acres and 124 plots, Grove Allotment Gardens is the largest of the borough’s allotments. Monitoring this year shows that average water consumption at 800 litres per week jumps to 2400 litres during very hot early summer weather (19th-31st May). By mid-July the average had increased to 4700 litres per day!

A survey of our 4.5 acre upper site showed that there were 48 sheds, greenhouses and poly-tunnels out of a total of at least 101 structures that had no water harvesting capacity. 28 structures had some rain water collection and this could be enhanced. 25 of the structures had rain water harvesting arrangements that fully utilised their capacity.

We will achieve a measurable increase in rainwater collection

1. By installing Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) as follows (estimated collection capacity of structures based on NAS model and Chesterfield annual rainfall at conservative level of 750mm) and assisting members to install and maintain water collection from all existing structures:

• Upper Site “Shop” – 5 linked IBCs. The “shop” roof is 12m2 = 7500 litres rain water collection potential

OR

• Upper Site “Scout Hut” – 5 linked IBCs. The roof of the structure is 10m2 = 6000 litres rain water collection potential

OR

• Upper Site” Machine Store” – 5 linked IBCs. The roof of the structure is flat 12.5m2 = 7500 litres rain water collection potential

• Upper Site Compost Toilet – 3 linked IBCs. The existing roof is 3m2 = 1800 litres rain water collection potential. The structure can be modified to double to 3600 litres capacity. 1 IBC already installed

• Lower Site Disused Greenhouse (Stand Road entrance) – 5 linked IBCs existing partial guttering gives a roof capacity of 9m2 = 5400 litres rain water collection potential.

• Lower/Upper Site – 5 IBCs installed singly

• Lower/Upper Site – 10×210 litre water butts installed singly at greenhouses/sheds

The total increased rainwater collection capacity resulting from this investment is estimated to be circa 23.4 m3. This is based on the assumption that the roof collection capacity exceeds the IBC capacity and there is a 30% refill occurring.

2. By ensuring all existing rainwater collection systems are optimised and maintained. There is a further 7m3 capacity to be obtained by ensuring existing rainwater collection equipment is optimised and properly maintained.

3. By encouraging and supporting members to pay for and install additional rainwater collection equipment, we are therefore contributing to the collective aim as well as securing enhanced personal convenience of water stored on their plot.

We will achieve a measurable reduction in mains water use and reduce water use overall

1. By monitoring mains water consumption 2 x weekly (min) and notification of daily average mains water use to members via our WhatsApp news and information group and website.

2. By promoting and supporting adoption of conservation cultivation techniques (“no dig”, mulching, green manure etc) and disseminating National Allotment Society guidance: Introduction to drought, climate change and growing”; “Growing Drought Resistant Plants”; “Introduction to sustainable water collection and use” (includes guidance on “no dig” and how rainwater can be collected and used efficiently e.g. drip feed irrigation and more); “Soil Health”.

3. Our Committee members and “Grove Networkers” will be conservation champions,

using everyday contacts and conversations to foster interest and attention of members and monitor the impact of the programme.

We will work to establish an enhanced pride of our allotment association and local community by involving all association members in the implementation of the investment in assets and activities that enhance water resilience and by demonstrating enhanced quality of land management and sustainable use of critical resources.

We will work to establish a wider recognition of the importance of individual and collective attention to water use and water conservation and the challenge to sustainability as a result of climate change caused by global heating. This will involve generating internal and external publicity as our investment in water resilience and water conservation develops. We will use our WhatsApp news and information group and website to ensure our association members are informed and fully involved. We will initiate open days to involve a wider public participation.

This will support a wider understanding that personal behavioural changes and collective and co-operative action can add up to “we can make a difference” to the quality and sustainability of our immediate environment.

Our Budget – Total estimated cost of proposed investment is £1940 based on the following:

• 16 x 1000 L IBCs @ £60 = £960

• 10 x 210 L Water butts @ £36 = £360

• 2 x Solar water pump kits and battery = £500

• Additional materials including guttering £120

Actual expenditure may be less and where possible equipment and materials will be obtained that are re-used/re-purposed or in some other way obtained at lower cost e.g member contribution to IBC/water butts. Monitoring per CAN Water Resilience Programme requirements.

CAN GrantFunding @ 50% = £970

GAA Funding @ 50% = £970