Recycled rainwater to be used to clean Piccadilly line trains

A new rainwater harvest system is being constructed at Cockfosters Depot to reduce Tube Lines’ reliance on the mains water to clean its 86 Piccadilly line trains.  This is part of Tube Lines’ drive to reduce the company’s environmental impacts and lead the way in the sustainable use of natural resources on the London Underground.  The company estimates that by using rainwater to clean the trains it can reduce its CO2 emissions by up to 1 tonne each year.  That carbon saving is equivalent to a train travelling end to end on the 73km long Piccadilly line 230 times.

The South East of England relies on winter rainfall to recharge aquifers and reservoirs and an analysis of climate trends show that summers are becoming hotter and drier.  In the summer 2006, restrictions on water use at Morden depot were imposed affecting the cleanliness of Northern line trains. In order to adapt to an increased risk of future water shortages, Tube Lines is installing a rainwater harvest system to collect water from the roof of the lifting and examination shed at the depot.  The water collected will be stored in water tanks reducing the company’s dependence on mains potable water, cutting its CO2 emissions and minimising the risk of drought impacts.   The system is currently being installed and will be in use by early June.

Every day Tube Lines puts 27 of its 86 Piccadilly line trains through the train wash, using an average of 187m3 of water each month.  Tube Lines has already been using recycled water to clean its fleet of trains but can further reduce its reliance on the mains water supply by using rainwater collected from the shed roof. By using collected rainwater Tube Lines can save up to 1 tonne of CO2 emissions each year.  Rainwater is naturally soft and free from limescale and chemicals so requires fewer detergents and cleaning products.  This solution is therefore better for the environment and contributes to lowering Tube Lines’ overall carbon footprint.

Tube Lines has set itself a business target to reduce its carbon footprint by 5,000 tonnes of CO2 by the end of 2008. 1,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions has already been banked since 2003 through various energy efficiency initiatives. The installation of the rainwater harvester is just one initiative being rolled out this year to help the company meet its 2008 environmental objective. 

If the rainwater harvest system proves successful Tube Lines will look to install similar systems on its other two lines – the Jubilee and Northern lines.

Ray Mansell, head of operations for health, safety and environment at Tube Lines, said:

 “This is a really exciting development and the first to be introduced on the London Underground. We cannot ignore the climate trend analysis which shows that summers are getting hotter.  If this is the case, more drought order restrictions will be put in place and yet we will still be required to keep our trains clean for passengers.  The rainwater harvest system is the perfect solution.  It’s altogether better for the environment and will enable us to keep trains clean even in drought conditions.”

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Press office, Tube Lines: 020 7088 4848 / 07764 429 015

Notes to Editors

1. Tube Lines is responsible for the maintenance and upgrade of the infrastructure on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines. London Underground is responsible for operating the Underground, for employing drivers and station staff, for ticketing and fares, and for the Tube’s safety regime.
2. The Tube Lines consortium consists of two shareholders – Amey and Bechtel. They bring together some of the most experienced providers of business services with specialist skills in the rail industry, including track and signal renewals, plus project and operational management. They are providing some of the best project and operational managers from around the world to work on the modernisation of the Tube system. Amey owns two-thirds of Tube Lines’ business and Bechtel one third.

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