Rugby club uses grant to help save water

Gravesend Rugby Club will receive £20,000 from Southern Water's Business Partnership Fund

A Kent rugby club will use a grant from Southern Water to invest in infrastructure to help save water.

Gravesend Rugby Club will receive £20,000 from the water company's Business Partnership Fund.

The money will be used to install a borehole and rainwater harvesting system to water three rugby pitches and cricket square.

Work will also include a water filtration system and pipework to the pitches.

The project started in July 2025 and will be completed later this month in time for the start of the new season, Southern Water said.

The club's water saving project will provide additional water in times of a shortage, plus the use of water saving devices on club toilets, taps and showers.

Club chairman Mark Bruce said: "We need a sustainable water supply for Gravesend Rugby Club and capturing water to re-use is key.

"The rainwater harvesting will have a real impact on our water bills."

Kayleigh Sharman, Southern Water's efficiency manager, added: "Our Business Partnership Fund is a practical solution to saving water and it means taking less water from the environment."