Princess Pavilion Reclaims Hidden Rainwater System to Boost Sustainability
Falmouth Town Council has secured funding from the SWW Water-Saving Community Fund to bring a long-forgotten rainwater harvesting system back into action beneath the Princess Pavilion’s lawn. The system, recently discovered to be disconnected before Falmouth Town Council took over the management of the site, offers a valuable opportunity to conserve water and make the Pavilion more sustainable.
The underground rainwater tank, with a 3,000-litre capacity, will collect rainwater from the Pavilion’s veranda guttering. Once restored, the system is expected to save up to 200,000 litres of mains water each year. The harvested rainwater will be primarily used for toilet flushing, one of the building’s highest-demand functions, and will also support garden watering.
By capturing rainfall that would otherwise contribute to surface water runoff, the system will also help ease pressure on neighbouring properties and the local sewage network, providing broader benefits for the community.
After hearing that a rainwater system had once operated there, Falmouth Town Council asked Special Environmental Projects Officer Karen Hall to investigate these claims. With limited records available, Karen worked with specialists to uncover historic infrastructure drawings, confirming the presence of an underground tank and providing the details needed for restoration.
With this breakthrough, the Council developed a restoration proposal and successfully secured funding from South West Water. The restored system will capture rainwater year-round, helping the Pavilion make better use of natural resources while reducing its environmental footprint.
Karen Hall says:
“I’m delighted that Falmouth Town Council is bringing this hidden piece of infrastructure back into action. Thanks to this funding, we’ll be saving thousands of litres of water every year and hopefully inspiring visitors to think differently about the water they use at home too. We’re also planning to hold an event for residents in the Spring to share tips on how to save water in the home.”
Restoration works are scheduled for 5 and 6 January 2026, with the system expected to be operational immediately afterwards.