A CHARITY which provides accommodation and support to single people in Cornwall, is set to boost its rainwater harvesting capabilities thanks to funding from South West Water’s Water-Saving Community Fund.

Based in St Agnes, Glen Carne is a charity which houses 35 residents who may otherwise face homelessness, many referred by local agencies such as Cornwall Council, homeless charities and mental health teams.

Each resident has their own room, with shared cooking and laundry facilities which currently use metered water.

Support has been received from the Water-Saving Community Fund, and as a result the charity is installing a new underground tank to collect and filter rainwater from two large buildings.

This will then be reused for flushing toilets and running washing machines at its site, saving an estimated 258,550 litres of treated water every year. When the tank is full, any excess water will be used to top up the site’s wildlife pond, home to ducks and other species.

Matt Gavan, CEO of Glen Carne, said: “We are incredibly grateful to South West Water for supporting this important project. The new rainwater harvesting system will help us reduce our environmental impact, lower utility costs, and invest more into the support and services we provide to our residents. It’s a practical and sustainable improvement that will benefit both people and the environment.”

Paul Dommett, water efficiency delivery manager at South West Water, added: “We’re delighted to support Glen Carne with their rainwater harvesting project.

“By harvesting rainwater, the charity will save hundreds of thousands of litres of treated water every year and be able to focus even more on the vital work it does supporting vulnerable people in Cornwall.”

Since its launch in 2021, the Water-Saving Community Fund has supported local not-for-profit organisations and community groups with projects that promote sustainability, conserve water, and strengthen local communities.