Rain, Rain,Go Away... No, Wait, We Need That Water!

Dublin's Tufloo cut costs & boosted sustainability by using a 20,000L water tank for rainwater harvesting. See their clever gravity setup!

We all know the British and Irish weather is brilliant for one thing: rain. And while most of us are reaching for the umbrella, our long-standing customer, Tufloo,a Dublin-based specialist in portable toilet hire and tanker services has used their local rainfall to their advantage, in more ways than one.

Their Dublin depot has a huge roof, great for rainwater harvesting. And after talking in detail about Tufloo’s needs, we jointly decided that a mid-sized 20,000 litre water tank equipped with a 2” drain valve, bolt-down feet and a large rainwater harvesting filter would suit their needs.

Several months on from installation, we were seriously interested to find out more about their journey, so we had a quick chat with Tom Costello, Tufloo’s MD to get the low-down and find out how it's benefiting their busy operation.

Here’s what Tom had to say:

The Big Question: Why Rainwater Over Mains Water?

“For a business like ours, it was a no-brainer," Tom told us."It's an incredibly strategic decision that ticks all the boxes: economic, environmental, and operational. We saw five core benefits rightaway."

1. Real-World Cost Savings

"It’s simple maths. Water is a massive recurring operational cost when you're maintaining hundreds of portable toilets. By harvesting rainwater, we dramatically cut down on the amount of water we have to buy. Less reliance on mains supply means our utility bills are significantly lower - it’s a direct boost to our long-term profitability.

Although it’s hard to be precise about rainfall volumes, a rough calculation on just a 450m² roof provides a yearly collection volume of 293m³. Divide that roughly by 12 to give a monthly figure and Tom could expect to be harvesting 24m³, i.e. 24,000 litres per month. (This would vary during excess rainfall or periods of drought).

2. Upping The Sustainability Game

"Using rainwater is also about being a responsible business. We’re tapping into a free, natural resource and reducing the demand on our local water systems. This investment positions Tufloo as an environmentally conscious company, which is huge! We're finding more and more clients - especially big organisations - area ctively looking for sustainable service providers, and this is giving us areal edge."

3. Efficiency and Reliability

"Let's face it, we get plenty of rain in Ireland! Having a dedicated tank means we can capture and store that water for when we need it most. It’s an abundant, free resource that makes our entire operation more efficient. Plus, the tank acts as a reliable backup supply during periods of high demand or any unexpected mains water restrictions."

4. A Clear Competitive Advantage

"Not every portable toilet company is doing this. By incorporating rainwater harvesting, we get to market ourselves as innovative and eco-friendly, setting us apart from the competition. Customers increasingly value businesses that demonstrate social and environmental responsibility, and this just strengthens our reputation."

5. Planning for the Future

"Water scarcity is a global concern. By adopting these water-saving measures now, we're not just improving our current operations; we're future-proofing the business. We’re better positioned for potential changes in regulations, cost increases, or water shortages down the line. It's about a long-term vision for Tufloo."

How is Tufloo Using Harvested Rainwater?

"The uses are endless!" Tom laughed. "But primarily, we use it for all the non-drinking water tasks in the yard. It's an ideal source for:

Toilet flushing in the yard.
Cleaning trucks and other vehicles.
Washing down stock - that’s all the toilets, urinals, luxury trailer units, and pods.
Providing non-potable water refills for our servicing trucks before they head out."

Can You Filter Rainwater?

Do you need to clean or purify the water?

"We certainly do. We installed a twin filter at the top of the tank. This removes all the coarse dirt first, and then the water is filtered through a fine mesh to eliminate minute debris before the clean water is collected in the main tank. It’s a simple but effective system."

What about filling the service vehicles?

"This is where the science bit comes in," Tom said, referring to our 20,000-litre tank."We mounted the tank on a large, elevated steel frame in our main yard.Because it’s elevated, it works on a gravity feed. Our drivers just pull up their vehicles underneath, and the tank’s drain hose feeds directly into their service truck's water tank to fill up. No need for a pump - it's fast, easy, and saves energy. They use the same method for filling an IBC bucket for cleaning in the yard."

The system also benefits from:

An inbuilt calmed inlet system so that inbound rainwater is directed to the bottom of the tank without disturbing any sediment. There’s also an overflow system in case the tank is full - and by any chance it carries on raining - so that excess water is directed back down the building’s downpipe.

Why Elevate Rainwater Harvesting Tanks?

Tufloo's Five Smart Reasons -Mounting the tank on a frame wasn't just about making filling easier; it was a deliberate choice for several reasons:

Gravity-Fed (Natural) Pressure: The elevation creates natural water pressure, which is perfect for filling equipment and trucks without relying on electric pumps.
Easy Access: Raising it up makes all the outlets and connection points easy to reach for staff and simplifies maintenance inspections.
Space Utilisation: The area underneath the tank is now free or other operational uses - and who doesn’t need more space in a busy yard.
Safety and Stability: A sturdy frame ensures the tank is stable and secure, even when full.
Gravity ensures more complete drainage when the tank needs to be emptied or cleaned.

A Two-Tank Strategy

Tufloo's commitment to efficiency is clear in their setup - they currently operate two large water tanks:

Main Yard: This one handles the full maintenance of the portable loos and the water refills for the trucks.
Second Yard: Located near the main premises, this tank is solely for water refills for their service vehicles. This yard is where the waste collected throughout the day is off loaded, so having an easy refill point nearby is crucial. This tank is connected to the mains water supply with a valve to prevent overfilling.

We're impressed by how Tufloo has implemented this system to become a more economical and sustainable business. It proves that a little bit of rain can go a long, longway.