Water Butts & Water Harvesting

Over the last twenty years or so in the UK there has been a greatly increased use in washing machines, dishwashers and a greater interest in gardening. As a result there has been a 50% increase in domestic water consumption in the UK. The average person now uses 160 litres of water every day compared to just 80 litres a day 25 years ago.

Add to this the government’s plans to build up to half a million new homes in south-east England and it is easy to see why our already overstretched water supplies and sewage treatment works will be put under an intolerable pressure that may bring them to breaking point. The already very real threat of hosepipe bans and drought warnings is set to increase in the future unless we take sensible action to reduce water consumption or rely on alternative sources.

Water Harvesting

One very simple and effective method of water conservation is water harvesting. Water harvesting is the method of collecting and storing rain water for use in the garden and for other purposes such as toilets, car-washing, cleaning the windows and washing machines. It has been calculated that for every inch of water that falls on a 1000 square foot area it is possible to collect up to 600 gallons of water. In Britain approximately 100,000 litres of water falls per year on the average rooftop. If collected and stored this water can then be used directly and without further treatment for such purposes as watering the garden or cleaning the car thus saving a huge amount on water rates and helping the environment.

Using captured rain water for gardens, toilets, washing machines and washing cars etc can save up to 50% of household water use. Even using a basic, straightforward water butt for water collection and storage can save a large amount of water wastage and in addition rain water is far better for plants than treated tap water.

Water Butts

Rain harvesting systems can range from large water tanks that can hold from between 1,000 to 10,000 litres of water and which utilise electric pumps to the standard upright garden water butt holding from 100 to 200 litres water. Water butts are the most straight forward and basic form of water harvesting and can significantly reduce dependence on mains water supplies and our impact on the environment.

There is nothing new about using water butt type vessels for the collection and storage of water. In Thailand fragments of vessels made from terracotta and used for the storage of water have been found and dated to 2000 years ago. Regions around the Mediterranean such as southern Spain and Morocco used cisternas for the storage of water for use in the hot, dry summers. Now, in the UK, with the possibility of increasingly hot summers and the likelihood of more droughts there is a real and pressing need to use water collection systems in order to conserve water and as a bi-product to save money.

Rainwater systems in the UK are primarily used for WC flushing and for watering the garden. However more sophisticated systems can be used in conjunction with domestic appliances. In Germany water collection systems are much more common and are often used in WC’s and washing machines as well as outdoor use. Trials in Germany have shown conclusively that properly collected rain water used in washing machines is kinder to the clothes and prolongs the life of the washing machine. Further studies show that properly collected rain water used for washing machines does not need to be treated or disinfected. There are currently no UK regulations relating to the required water quality for WC and washing machines.

A very good range of water butts are available to purchase online here.

Installing a Water Butt

Water butts are very simple to fit and just a few simple precautions need to be taken when installing one. It is important to install the water butt on a firm and secure base to prevent overflowing when the vessel is full and to prevent it tipping over. Standing the water butt on a firm base above ground level also provides room to fill a watering can. The water collection vessel should have a secure, childproof lid. This is to protect children and also to prevent debris, small animals and insects from getting inside the water butt. If the water butt does not have a lid then wire mesh can be used as an alternative to prevent debris and animals falling in.

For maximum water collection the water butt should be fitted to the down pipe of the guttering leading from the roof. Rain is collected via the roof and the water filtered down through the guttering system via a diverter that is connected to the down pipe. The water can either be filtered into the water butt through the hole in the lid or via a hole in the side of the butt itself. Many water butts come with a simple connection to the guttering system that takes mere minutes to install.

Choosing a Water Butt

Water butts come in many different styles and designs and so are not just good for the environment and better for your plants but can make an attractive feature in your garden. Basic water butts are made from plastic but they can be made from converted wooden whiskey barrels or Spanish sherry barrels. Other decorative styles include Moroccan beehive shaped designs which can look very appealing in the garden.

When buying a water butt is important to get one with a tap that is adequate to your needs. A tap that is too wide may seem like the best option since it provides a good rate of water flow. However, a standard hosepipe may not be wide enough to attach to a tap that is too wide. On the other hand a tap that is too narrow may not give an adequate flow rate for your needs. Most water butts will come without the tap attached to prevent it snapping off in transit. The customer is required to attach the tap and it is best to check beforehand that this can be done with relative ease as some can be quite fiddly.It is also necessary to make the tap as watertight as possible to prevent water from leaking out.

Water Butt Maintenance

Water butts need regular maintenance to prevent a build up of algae inside the butt. This build up is due to high levels of nutrients in the water.It is best to avoid chemicals to remove the build up algae. Instead any slime can be scooped up with the hands. Sometimes the water butt can be overturned and the insides scrubbed to remove any slime that has built up. If you do not like the sound of this filters can be fitted which remove any algae or slime build up. A very cheap alternative to the water filter is to stretch an old pair of tights over the end of the down pipe leading into the water butt.