Waterfall Rapids

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen speak with Dr Claire Houlihan from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and Professor Alison Brown from the University of Manchester about their Ofwat-funded project, Enabling Water Smart Communities. They discuss what a "water smart community" really means, how new housing developments could better manage water, the challenges of water reuse, and why understanding why people use water matters more than just measuring how much. The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 16/8/2024. Timestamps: 01:52 – What is a water smart community? 03:48 – Interesting findings so far 04:33 – The challenge of water reuse 05:20 – Why social science research on water matters 06:59 – Why understanding people matters more than numbers

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen are joined by Lisa Craven, MD of Stormsaver, to talk about rainwater harvesting. She explains how the systems work, clears up common misconceptions about rainwater being dirty, and shares the impressive savings possible for both homes and businesses, plus practical tips for retrofitting older properties. The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 2/8/2024. Timestamps: 00:56 – What is rainwater harvesting? 02:25 – Is rainwater actually clean? 04:04 – Typical water savings at home 07:16 – Business appetite for reuse 10:21 – Retrofitting an older home

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Lia takes us on two walks with water in Wales to promote the Walking with Water campaign. She speaks with Tony Rees from South East Wales Rivers Trust about the Taff Trail, its industrial heritage and its links to local reservoirs, then with land artist Rebecca Wynne-Kelly in Aberarth about Welsh water folklore, slowing down in nature, and the fight for water justice. The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 21/7/2023. Timestamps: 00:39 – What is Walking with Water? 01:38 – Meeting Tony and the Taff Trail 04:21 – How reservoirs feed the river 07:42 – Meeting Rebecca in Aberarth 10:42 – The legend of the witch and the pool

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, producer Tom and Karen report live from Gardeners' World Live. They speak with Malcolm Moody from the Solihull and District Orchid Society about why orchids are water efficient and how to water them properly, then talk to Josh Fenton about his award-winning show garden, designed to demonstrate water-saving solutions like drought-tolerant planting and a composting toilet. The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 19/7/2024. Timestamps: 01:43 – Are orchids water efficient? 02:54 – Rainwater vs tap water for plants 04:34 – Malcolm's top water-saving tips 06:59 – Josh's water-saving show garden 09:33 – The eco toilet, the "Cuddy"

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike is joined by author and environmental journalist Tim Smedley to talk about his book The Last Drop. They discuss the world's most shocking water crises, from Jordan's disappearing groundwater to the drying up of Lake Mead in the western US, the pros and cons of desalination, and why personal water use still matters. Tim shares how he cut his own household's water use by more than half through simple changes. The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 14/7/2023. Timestamps: 01:37 – The world's most shocking water crises 03:07 – The drying up of Lake Mead 05:57 – Desalination: pros and cons 08:16 – Cutting personal water use 11:26 – Should water cost more?