Schools across Greater Manchester are transforming hard playground surfaces with nature based drainage features designed to reduce flooding and support wildlife.
Fifteen schools in Manchester, Salford and Rochdale have installed special planters and rain gardens to capture and manage rainwater as part of a wider investment programme led by United Utilities.
The installations form part of the water company’s £280 million five year programme to improve how rainwater is managed across the North West using natural methods.
United Utilities is working with schools, councils, charities, community groups and regulators including the Environment Agency to introduce more blue green infrastructure and sustainable drainage systems.
Tim Armour, head of rainwater management at United Utilities, said: “Although rainwater is usually in plentiful supply in the North West, it is an important resource and our aim is to value every drop by managing it productively to deliver environmental benefits and, reduce flooding risks, as well as help customers reduce their bills by using rainwater creatively and stop it going down the drain.”
He added: “Schools are a great place to start as many have large impermeable playground areas where the rainwater can’t soak through. This can cause pooling or even flooding during heavy rainfall which makes them unusable and puts extra pressures on the drainage network.
“By using nature and giving it a helping hand with some clever engineering, we can give the rainwater somewhere to go and at the same time create rich habitats for wildlife, increase biodiversity and create vibrant spaces for children to enjoy and learn about the natural world.”
Planters are connected to building downpipes to divert water from roofs, while rain gardens include underground systems that collect surface water before gradually releasing it back into the sewer network, nearby streams or the ground.
The approach helps slow the flow of water into drains while providing planting areas that attract wildlife such as bees, birds and butterflies. The spaces can also be used as outdoor learning areas where pupils can explore the water cycle.
Across the participating schools, almost 100 installations have added around 136000 litres of additional rainwater storage capacity, the equivalent of more than 900 bathtubs. Eleven schools in Manchester, two in Rochdale and two in Salford have taken part so far.
Seating has also been incorporated into some of the designs to improve play spaces and encourage social interaction.
The schools have also received water audits to identify leaks from taps and toilets. These checks are helping to save more than 15000 litres of drinking water each day while reducing water bills.
Further projects are planned, with United Utilities aiming to reach 200 schools across Greater Manchester by 2030.
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