19.6.25

A new rainwater harvesting system is now supplying up to 60% of the water needed to look after the 350,000 plants that are grown in greenhouses in Bute Park each year.

Installed as part of Cardiff Council's ‘One Planet Cardiff' response to the climate emergency, the system comprises two storage tanks capable of holding a total of 48,000 litres. Based on recent rainfall data, it has the potential to collect 1738m³of rainwater water annually. 

Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke (centre) with members of the Parks and One Planet Cardiff teams, and contractors in front of one of the water storage tanks.

Before being pumped back into the greenhouses, the water is UV-filtered to kill any pathogens. This helps keep the plants well-cared for ahead of them being planted in the parks across Cardiff, used in the hanging baskets and planters that decorate the city centre, or sold directly to the public from the Nursery Shop at Bute Park Visitor Centre.

Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke said: "Harvesting the rainwater that falls on the greenhouses means lower water bills, reduced carbon emissions and healthier plants."

"Living in Cardiff it can sometimes feel like it's always raining, but water is a precious resource and it's important to use it wisely."

Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019 carbon emissions directly created by Cardiff Council have reduced by 18%.

Some of the 350,000 plants grown every year in the greenhouses at Bute Park.

To find out more about One Planet Cardiff visit: https://www.oneplanetcardiff.co.uk/