ZOHO rain letters: a smart rain barrel anticipating the weather forecast
The city of Rotterdam has introduced so-called Rain Letters to collect rainwater: smart rain barrels that anticipate the weather forecast. The “ZOHO” letters are located in the eponymous district and serve as water storage. On the one hand, the letters provide additional storage capacity during heavy downpours; on the other, they retain water during periods of drought. At the same time, the letters constitute a fine showcase for the district.
Studio Bas Sala has designed the rain letters as a contribution to a solution to increasing weather extremes: downpours alternating with periods of drought. The letters have been produced in collaboration with Wijkcorporatie Noord, an organisation working with volunteers from Rotterdam-North.
The letters operate as follows. Rainwater that falls on the nearby Hofbogen, a long crossover also accommodating businesses, is directed to the letters rather than into the sewer. A smart, solar-powered system, integrated into the letters, monitors the weather forecast via the Internet.
Whenever a severe downpour is expected, the water collected in the letters is released into the surrounding garden. This creates a buffer capacity in the letters. During dry periods, water is retained in the letters and used to water the surrounding vegetation.
Raising awareness about water management
The letters are part of the Smart Rain Barrel project, which has also been implemented in Amsterdam and Schiedam. The project has proven to be an effective way to start conversations about water management with residents, businesses and public authorities. As eye-catching features in the neighbourhood, the letters help raise awareness about water and climate adaptation.
The rainwater letters are a public-space application of the smart rain barrel concept. Similar projects in Amsterdam and Schiedam focus on private properties, such as residential gardens. The concept has been tested and further developed to explore its technical possibilities and practical applications.
Read more on smart rain barrels on: http://www.slimmeregenton.nl
Contact person
Bas Sala
Studio Bas Sala
info@bassala.com
010-4772790