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RP18

RP18: Above ground tanks

Capital Items open_in_new View on RPA Website

£73.34

per cubic metre (m3) · one-off

info Summary

This Capital Grant item, part of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, provides funding for installing above-ground tanks to collect rainwater, separating clean water from contaminated sources. It aims to reduce water pollution from agriculture, provide free clean water for farm use, and enhance biodiversity.

format_list_bulleted What to do

  • Agree with your Catchment Sensitive Farming adviser where to install the tank and pump
  • Install a new above-ground storage tank on hardstanding or concrete

checklist How to do and evidence required

You must keep written support from your Catchment Sensitive Farming adviser and provide with your application.

You must also keep and provide with your claim:

  • any consents or permissions connected with the work
  • photographs of the completed work

You must also keep and provide on request:

  • receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
  • photographs of site before works start

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide.

tips_and_updates Additional Advice

  • The tank and pump installation, hard surface/concrete base, and connecting pipework are normally included.
  • Ensure contaminated water does not mix with clean water during work.
  • Check for restrictions on using harvested rainwater in your supply chain with farm assurance schemes and purchasers.
  • Consider listed building consent if near historic structures and the item's effect on historic features.

View Official Guidelines

Access detailed information about this action on the RPA website

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info Additional Information

RP18: Above ground tanks

This item is part of Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Capital Grants 2025 guidance to understand the rules and how to apply.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the CSHT applicant’s guide to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

£73.34 per cubic metre (m3).

How this item benefits the environment

The above ground storage tank collects and contains rainwater, helping to keep clean water separate from contaminated water or slurry. This provides free clean water that may be suitable to use around the farm for tasks such as yard washing.

This item can help you protect, recover and improve biodiversity on your land.

Where you can use this item

You can only use this item in areas targeted for the reduction of water pollution from agriculture with support from Catchment Sensitive Farming.

Catchment Sensitive Farming provides advice where there are water quality or flood risk issues linked to farming.

You must get advice from the local planning authority to check if consent is needed.

You cannot use this item to collect slurry or contaminated water.

Your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER) will identify:

  • scheduled monuments
  • registered parks and gardens
  • registered battlefields
  • Selected Heritage Inventory for Natural England (SHINE) sites

You must not use this item on scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens or registered battlefields without written approval from Historic England.

You must not use this item on SHINE sites without written approval from your local authority historic environment adviser.

What you must do to use this item

You must:

  • agree with your Catchment Sensitive Farming adviser where to install the tank and pump
  • install a new above-ground storage tank on hardstanding or concrete

Evidence you must keep

You must keep written support from your Catchment Sensitive Farming adviser and provide with your application.

You must also keep and provide with your claim:

  • any consents or permissions connected with the work
  • photographs of the completed work

You must also keep and provide on request:

  • receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
  • photographs of site before works start

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide.

Other items you can use with this item

You can use this item with these items:

RP15: Concrete yard renewal

RP16: Rainwater goods

RP17: Storage tanks underground

RP19: First flush rainwater diverters and downpipe filters

Advice to help you use this item

The following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements.

Installing the storage tank

There are no generic specifications for above-ground storage tanks. You’ll be given a tank that’s suitable for your farm.

The work normally includes:

  • installing the tank and pump
  • creating a hard surface or concrete base for the tank
  • installing connecting pipework

Managing water

Make sure that contaminated water does not mix with the clean water collected while the work is taking place.

You must also check if restrictions apply to using harvested rainwater in your supply chain. Check with your relevant farm assurance scheme and purchasers of your produce to confirm.

Historic and archaeological features

You may need listed building consent if used close to a historic farmstead or listed building, as this item may damage it.

You should consider the effect of the item on the:

  • historic building itself
  • the historic building’s location
  • the nature and historic value of the land where the building is located

Effective use of water on dairy farms

Read about the effective use of water on dairy farms on the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) website.

Questions about RP18?

Ask Tom anything about this subsidy, eligibility, evidence requirements, or compatibility with other actions.