It’s a common myth that you can’t use harvested rainwater for livestock drinking. With the right filtration, this water can be made perfectly safe. Here’s how we helped Birch Hall Farm save money and meet sustainability targets using our Gravistore system.
Project Overview
- Name: Birch Hall Farm, Shropshire
- Type: Dairy Farm
- Size: 350 acres
Challenge
The farm owner, Andrew Gilman, wanted a rainwater harvesting solution that would:
- Help meet environmental initiatives
- Reduce the farm’s water bills
- Provide safe drinking water for livestock
Unsure which system would best suit his needs, Andrew sought expert advice from Cotterill Civils.
Solution
After assessing the farm’s water usage and setup, we recommended a tailored rainwater harvesting system consisting of six above-ground horizontal MDPE tanks, backed by a 10-year guarantee.
To ensure the collected rainwater was safe for livestock consumption, we installed a UV filtration kiosk that filtered water to 10 microns — effectively removing contaminants and pathogens.
“It’s not an easy decision choosing a rainwater harvesting system, so it was great to speak to Cotterills. They come from a farming background, understood our challenges, and provided clear, practical advice.”
– Andrew Gilman, Birch Hall Farm
Results
With a daily water consumption of 12–15m³, the new system saves approximately 2m³ of water per day. The collected water is safely used to feed livestock, significantly reducing reliance on mains supply.
“We expect this rainwater harvesting system to pay for itself within 5–8 years. Cotterills were professional, friendly, and knowledgeable — I’d happily recommend them to other farmers.”
Get Expert Advice
Interested in reducing your water costs or meeting sustainability targets? Speak to our specialists about rainwater harvesting systems today.
Call us on 0121 351 3230 or complete our enquiry form below.