Rainwater Harvesting Systems Installed on North Cumbrian Farms to Combat Extreme Weather and Improve Water Quality
Farmers in the Waver and Wampool catchment in North Cumbria, UK, have implemented rainwater harvesting systems on their farms. This initiative, led by the West Cumbria Rivers Trust (WCRT), involves installing large plastic containers to collect water from farm building roofs. The collected rainwater is stored for later use, aiming to address challenges posed by extreme weather patterns, including wetter winters with intense rainfall and increased summer drought risks. According to Waver Wampool Project Officer Tasha Pearson, the project seeks to reduce farmers' reliance on treated mains water, conserve water supplies, and lower utility bills. While similar individual farm-level approaches exist, this project distinguishes itself by coordinating efforts across multiple holdings within a single catchment area. The results and findings from this coordinated approach are being shared with the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board for broader research and dissemination. 
