Friday 14-07-2017 - 13:36

It’s competition time! Do you have a food growing site, or want to start one? Want funding for a creative water saving project? Read on…

NUS’s Student Eats programme supports sustainable food enterprises on campuses and in the community. In partnership with The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators, we’re offering you the chance to win between £200 and £1500 to support a water saving initiative.

The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators spreads awareness of the science, art and practice of water and environmental management. Through this opportunity, it’s looking to support Student Eats projects (if you’re not already, sign-up as a free member, then you’ll be eligible!) to improve the water efficiency of their operations, and to raise awareness of the importance of water conservation.

To apply, you’ll need to propose a practical project. The possibilities are vast! Some options include:

• Water harvesting and storage systems
• Plastic tunnel systems
• Small irrigation networks
• Information boards

But we encourage you to be innovative! Unusual ideas are welcome. Linking your work to research, and ensuring it has a multiplier effect, would be great.

Student Eats projects the Water Conservators have previously supported

• Staffordshire University: a wild pond and hazel coppicing to drain a flooded area and a closed water system to their polytunnels
• University of Exeter: a major rainwater harvesting and distribution system for their Exeter Community Garden
• University of Cumbria: six water butts for rain water harvesting

Case study: water harvesting in Sheffield

Joseph Hook from Engineers Without Borders at the University of Sheffield helped design a water harvesting system for a student growing area at Sheffield College, and is now planning another one for the university. Here’s Joseph’s account of how they did it:

“We came up with the idea of using the overgrown bank for passive rainwater harvesting. This decreased the reliance of the users on a mains system, which would have required more investment and maintenance. It also served to lessen the demand for drinking water usage in the college; creating sustainable growing solutions and educating community members about such issues.

After the success of this project Engineers Without Borders Sheffield are currently developing a similar initiative in student allotments with the help of the Horticultural Society. We're using the principles we learned in the last project, but with a multi-purpose structure that can also be a shelter for repotting plants, barbecues and general socialising."

Applications open on 17th July 2017 and close on 30th August 2017. The application form is here. Good luck! If you are not a member of Student Eats, sign up for free first, to be eligible to enter an idea for your growing site!

Inspiration on water conservation - to get your creative juices flowing:

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/using-water-garden

https://www.growveg.co.uk/guides/how-to-harvest-rainwater-in-your-vegetable-garden/

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Sustainable-gardening/Gardening-in-a-changing-climate/Advice/Water---the-way-ahead/Water-management