THE creation of a large hole in the carefully tended grounds of Oxford’s University Parks has been causing some raised eyebrows.

But all became clear on Monday when four giant water tanks were lowered into the ground to help parks staff combat any future droughts.

The tanks will fill with up to 150,000 litres of rainwater collected from the rooftops of the nearby university science area.

The water will then be used on the nearby cricket ground and to irrigate other sports pitches during dry summers.

The decision was taken to sink tanks into the ground after parks staff faced criticism from park users for using sprinklers during a dry summer two years ago.

Parks superintendent Walter Sawyer said: “People thought we were using the water for cosmetic reasons and said it was a waste.

“They are more environmentally aware than they used to be. But we have to irrigate the pitches to maintain their quality.”

The water will also be used on the nearby croquet lawns and lacrosse pitches.

Mr Sawyer said: “The tanks will not take any ground water away. The water will come from the roofs of the science area buildings.”

The tanks did not stay empty for long. – within hours of being installed, the city had a heavy spell of rain.

Digging the hole for the tanks, , just south of the cricket pavilion, started in the middle of April.

The tanks have had to be dropped deep into the ground so they sit below the level of storm drains from the science area.

A university spokesman said: “After the scheme is completed, the tanks will be unseen, with no visible effect on the parks.

“The area will be returfed so it will look the same as before.

“Reducing any negative impact on the environment is important to the university.

“We are now the 10th big-gest purchaser of renewable electricity, generated by hydro-electric power, in Europe, and the third largest in the UK.”

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