Waterfall Rapids

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?

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Cath and Karen are joined by Nicole McNabb and Nick Mills from Southern Water to talk about a trial using water butts and planters to cut storm overflows. They explain the difference between standard, slow-drain and smart water butts, share strong results from a trial on the Isle of Wight, and talk about the bigger picture: too much hard, non-permeable surface (like driveways) sending rainwater straight into the sewers.
The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 7/7/2023.
Timestamps:
01:11 – The problem: storm overflows and runoff
02:37 – Isle of Wight trial results
03:23 – Types of water butts explained
07:04 – Bigger roofs and planters
08:05 – Driveways and permeable surfaces

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Cath and Karen are joined by Dr Mark Gush from the RHS to talk about water-wise gardening. He shares simple tips like letting your lawn grow longer to build deeper roots, watering in the morning to cut evaporation, and using mulch to lock moisture into the soil. He also points listeners to the RHS "Mains to Rains" pledge website for more ways to save water in the garden.
The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 23/6/2023.
Timestamps:
01:42 – RHS's Mains to Rains pledges
04:16 – RHS's own water-saving changes
05:04 – Longer lawns, deeper roots
08:04 – Best time to water
09:11 – Why mulch works so well

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Cath explain why the water pressure drops or the water goes off when it's really hot. It's not because there isn't enough rain - there was plenty over winter and spring. The real problem is that when it's hot, everyone uses much more water at once, and the pipes and treatment works can't keep up. They talk about how companies can get ready for this, why saving water all year round helps, and why South East Water brought in a hosepipe ban - not because of drought, but because their network couldn't cope with demand.
The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 30/6/2023.
Timestamps:
00:48 – Is it because of not enough rain? (No)
02:11 – Why it really happens: too much demand at once
02:41 – How companies can get ready
05:58 – Easy ways to use less water
07:47 – Saving water helps your community, not just the company
09:37 – South East Water's hosepipe ban explained

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen are joined by Natasha Wiseman, founder of Make Water Famous, a positive news platform dedicated to connecting people with water in all its forms. Calling in from a camper van in the Pyrenees, Natasha explains how the platform is reaching over half a million people across more than 100 countries by telling water stories through angles people already care about, from swimming and fishing to gaming and food. The episode is a refreshing reminder that people are far more interested in water than the industry often assumes.
Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
01:39 – Guest introduction
02:24 – What is Make Water Famous?
04:46 – Reaching new audiences with positive water stories
07:43 – Why the water sector needs better storytelling
08:56 – Natasha's personal water use

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike is joined by Matt Croxell, Interim Charity Director at the Royal Life Saving Society UK, to talk about water safety, drowning prevention and the power of water. With child drowning figures having doubled in recent years, Matt explains what is driving the rise, what the Water Safety Code is and how to follow it, and why more than half of all drowning fatalities happen in inland waterways rather than at the coast. The episode also explores the broader message of respecting water in all its forms, from open water swimming to water conservation.
Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
00:36 – Guest introduction
00:54 – Drowning Prevention Week and rising child drowning figures
02:11 – The link between hotter weather and drowning risk
03:34 – The Water Safety Code explained
05:45 – Connecting water safety with wider water messages
08:23 – Why inland waterways are more dangerous than people think

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen are joined by Helen Roberts, a socio-meteorologist from the Met Office, to explore how understanding human behaviour can help us respond better to weather and climate challenges. Helen explains what socio-meteorology is, how cognitive biases shape the way we make decisions and why the right message in the right place at the right time can make all the difference. The episode draws fascinating parallels between weather communication and water efficiency, and introduces a practical behavioural model that could help change the way we all think about water use.
Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
00:34 – Guest introduction
01:02 – What is socio-meteorology?
03:31 – How better messaging drives behaviour change
06:13 – The COM-B model explained
08:47 – Linking weather, water and public awareness in the South West
10:54 – Helen's personal water use