Case Study: How a Community Turned Water Scarcity into Climate Action

Imagine hauling water in milk bottles across a field just to keep your carrots alive. That was reality for the plot holders at Wembury Allotments, until they found a smarter way. With support from a grant provided by South West Water’s Water-Saving Community Fund, volunteers created a rainwater harvesting system that’s saving and storing thousands of litres and inspiring others to think about how to save water.

Nestled in the heart of Wembury, this allotment site had one big challenge: no mains water. For years, plot holders relied on rainwater collected in ageing tanks, but during dry spells, supplies ran out. People resorted to hauling water in milk bottles and wheelbarrows from home, not exactly sustainable or fun.

The turning point came after a particularly dry summer when the taps (or rather, the dip tanks) ran dry by mid-July. The community knew they needed a better solution.

Key Objectives

• Secure a reliable water supply for the growing season.
• Reduce reliance on treated mains water.
• Encourage water-wise gardening and behaviour change.
• Future-proof the allotments against climate extremes.

The Challenge

• No road access: Every piece of equipment had to be hauled along a narrow footpath.
• Limited space: The site needed creative thinking to fit new tanks without encroaching on plots.
• Old infrastructure: Existing tanks were at the end of their life.
• Behavioural hurdles: Managing shared water fairly and educating plot holders on efficient use.

The Solution

With a grant from South West Water’s Water-Saving Community Fund, the association expanded and upgraded its entire rainwater-harvesting system.

In 2025, the site had 26 IBCs providing 26,000 litres of storage, but this supply was exhausted by mid-July during a prolonged dry period. Using the grant the team purchased 16 additional IBCs, replacing nine old or damaged tanks and adding seven brand-new ones, bring the total system to 33 IBCs with a combined storage capacity of 33,000 litres.

All tanks are now interconnected via manifold pipework, with valves that allow them to be isolated or grouped as needed, feeding into six strategically placed dip troughs across the site. The grant also enabled essential pipework upgrades to integrate the new tanks and improve parts of the existing network.

DIY ingenuity was key:

• Volunteers cleared overgrown areas, laid weed membranes and built block foundations.
• A simple filtration system was added, a humble flowerpot stuffed with netting to keep leaves out.
• Old tanks weren’t wasted; they were refurbished and sold to tenants for individual use.

And yes, moving 16 IBCs through a one-metre-wide gate in the snow? Now that’s team building!

Key Benefits

• Water security: Enough storage to last the season, even in dry spells.
• Climate resilience: Reduced reliance on treated mains water and mitigating flood risks.
• Community spirit: Volunteers did all the work, building new skills and saving labour costs.
• Behaviour change: Plot holders now mulch, use water wisely and collect more rainwater individually.

Working Smarter, Not Harder

The team didn’t just apply for funding. They planned every part of the bid with detail down to the last penny! This level of precision meant they could stretch resources as far as possible, negotiate the best rates and avoid unnecessary costs.

Thanks to volunteer labour and clever reuse of old tanks, the project delivered maximum impact for minimal outlay. For South West Water, this was a small investment with huge leverage, creating a model other communities can replicate.

To put it in perspective:

• Cost of mains water installation: Prohibitively expensive for the site.
• DIY approach: Zero contractor fees, all volunteer-led.
• Outcome: A system capable of storing thousands of litres, ensuring resilience for years to come.

Learnings for Others

• Plan ahead: Map out your objectives and costs before applying for funding.
• Keep it simple: Low-tech solutions like gravity-fed systems and DIY filters work brilliantly.
• Reuse and repurpose: Old tanks can often find a second life.
• Involve your community: Volunteers make projects affordable and strengthen local ties.
• Start small, scale up: Even a single water butt on a shed roof makes a difference.

What’s next?

The association hopes that increased storage capacity and improved distribution will help ensure water lasts longer into the season. Plans are also underway for raised beds to support accessible gardening.

If you’re part of a community group or organisation, take inspiration from Wembury. Rainwater harvesting isn’t just practical — it’s climate action in its purest form. Explore funding opportunities like the Water-Saving Community Fund and check out more case studies here.