Eleven households in Worthing and Lancing will open their doors to the public this weekend to show how anyone can reduce flood risk and introduce energy saving measures in their home.
Eco Open Houses, which takes place on Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25, is an event aimed at encouraging water saving and energy saving measures.
West Sussex County Council is sponsoring the event, through its Operation Watershed fund, because this year’s theme is flood risk reduction.
Claire Hunt, of Northcourt Road, Worthing, is one of eleven homeowners welcoming visitors through her front door.
Together with partner Ryan, the couple will show simple improvements made to their Victorian property and garden, designed to contribute to reducing flood risk.
They have installed water butts, planted a rain garden, and installed a living roof on top of their shed to absorb rain water.
Claire said: “These are incredibly simple things that any household can do to help reduce flood risk in towns where surface run off is one of the main causes of flooding.
“The rain garden at the front of our house was really simple to do.
“We did it because we noticed all the drainpipes gushing water straight out into the road creating a river of water in times of high rainfall.
“We thought what could we do about it? So we agreed with our neighbours (who share a drain pipe) about creating this garden.
“The downpipe is now connected up to a water butt which overflows into a small storm water planter.
“This has a pipe running through the bottom of it, so when full it overflows into a channel which takes it to the main planting in the garden to be absorbed.”
A soakaway in the rain garden has been dug to ensure that all run off is absorbed instead of reaching the road.
Claire and Ryan’s back garden is full of perennials, fruit trees and fruit bushes, all to soak up water.
They also have a pond which helps capture rain.
Clare said: “Both gardens are geared up to conserving water when rainfall is low, as well as having lots of porous surfaces and ways of holding excess water during high rainfall periods.
“We also use rainwater in the house itself, by connecting a large water butt to the downstairs toilet. We have created a homemade device, using a special bit of solar-powered plumbing that brings in rainwater to flush the toilet.
“We use about 10% less water because of this.”
Eleven venues across Worthing and Lancing will open for the Eco-Open Homes at various times over the weekend.
Tours and visits will be running at different times during both days.
Admission to each house is free.
Clare added: “I think it is a fantastic event, the third year we have run it.
“Everyone always comments that we live in a normal looking house. I think people’s perceptions are that eco-improvements are all space age technology but that is not the case.
“Saving water and energy can be very simple. It saves money and is a contribution individuals can make towards reducing flood risk.”
West Sussex County Council granted £6,600 in sponsorship to help fund the event.
County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, John O’Brien, said: “Worthing and Lancing are areas at risk of surface water flooding, and both are served by an out-dated Victorian drainage system.
“That is why this Eco Open Houses initiative, raising awareness by promoting sustainable water management and reducing the risk of flooding, is worthy of Operation Watershed support.
“We feel the improvements residents have made here in their homes have helped to reduce the risk of local surface water flooding.
“These measures can be easily replicated elsewhere in the community by residents and businesses alike.”
Operation Watershed funding to support community flooding projects are still available.
For more information visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/watershed or email: operation.watershed@westsussex.gov.uk
To find out opening times, venues and tours for Eco Open Houses visit www.ecoopenhouses.org