Student invents simple way to cut water bills by up to 50%

© Shutterstock/© Humanaut

Originally from Spain, a country regularly confronted with drought, this student had a revelation upon arriving to the UK for his studies. Struck by the contrast between the two countries in terms of humidity, he set himself an ambitious goal: to create products that raise awareness of ;environment and provide concrete solutions to the ecological crisis.

His project focuses on the reuse of rainwater in the domestic environment. The 8217;idea, to recover this free water that falls from the sky to use it in toilets and washing machines, which alone represent 51% of a household's water consumption. A godsend when you know that these uses do not require drinking water.

An integrated and ingenious system

© Martin Bello Urbez

The innovation of this student lies in the perfect integration of its system into the existing architecture. No more unsightly external tanks, its device blends into the very structure of the house, intelligently exploiting often underused spaces such as the roof and the attic.

The system consists of three main elements. Special tiles, single or double, which adapt to existing roofs. They capture rainwater and provide initial filtration. Then a secondary filter, with the standard dimensions of conventional piping systems, which completes the purification of the water. And finally a modular tank (1m x 0.5m) installed in the attic to store and distribute water in the house.

No need for a pump since the system uses gravity to transport the water, thus avoiding the use of other energy-hungry devices. An ecological approach that reduces both water and electricity consumption.

From natural inspiration to technical innovation

© Martin Bello Urbez

To design his system, the student drew inspiration from a variety of sources. He was interested in existing devices in the built environment, such as gutters or rainwater recovery tanks. But he went further by drawing inspiration from nature, notably reptiles living in arid regions, capable of filtering and collecting water with their skin.

His professional experience in a company specializing in filtration methods has also nourished his thinking. The result is a system that promises technical efficiency and biomimicry.

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The student multiplied prototypes to observe the interactions of water with his designs. He used both traditional techniques such as woodworking and more advanced tools such as 3D printing. User tests, conducted with people outside the project, provided valuable insights to refine the concept.

An award-winning design that is already winning over the industry

© Martin Bello Urbez

The originality of this project lies in its ability to make the fight against water waste accessible and effective. Unlike traditional rainwater recovery systems, which are often complex and unattractive, this solution blends harmoniously into the home.

The minimalist approach to design not only improves the visual aspect, it also optimizes the efficiency and functionality of the system. The use of gravity to distribute water is a major innovation, reducing the energy consumption usually associated with pumping water.

These qualities have not escaped the attention of industry professionals. The project was awarded the “Panasonic Best Design Impact Award” at the New Designers 24 trade fair. This award recognizes “innovation within a project that seeks to solve real problems while celebrating the true value of design as a meaningful and innovative process that can bring about positive change”.

Towards a Democratization of Eco-Habitat

© Martin Bello Urbez

The student does not intend to ;#8217;stop there. The next steps of his project aim to broaden the applicability of his system and further improve its efficiency. In particular, he plans to further his research into sustainable materials and manufacturing processes.

Suffice to say that we will continue to keep an eye on the development of the project which is particularly promising.

• A Spanish student has designed an integrated rainwater harvesting system for homes that can reduce water consumption by up to 50%
• The system, which consists of special tiles, a filter and a tank, integrates seamlessly into existing architecture and uses gravity to distribute water
• This award-winning project paves the way for the democratization of eco-housing, making rainwater harvesting accessible and aesthetic

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