What is a water butt?
What we call a “water butt” is essentially a giant water tank placed in the open air to collect precipitation. In addition to helping plants thrive, collecting rainwater can help you save money on your water bill, cut down on your water waste, and lessen your impact on the environment. The English climate is notoriously gloomy, but every cloud has a silver lining—so why not start benefiting from it right away?
How does a water butt work?
When it rains, water runs off your roof and into your gutters, where it gathers until it can be released through your downspouts. With a water butt, rainfall still flows from the roof into the guttering, but a diverter redirects the water away from the downspouts and into the butt. When it’s full, any further water will just go down the drain. If you have access to a downpipe, a water butt can be installed in a garden of any size.
Saving rainwater reduces the strain on our rivers and subterranean reserves that feed our regular water supply, as reported by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), a major horticultural organisation. Climate change and population increase have placed enormous pressure on our water resources.
How to install a water butt?
While each water butt will have its own specific instructions, they all basically boil down to the following:
1. Place the water butt next to the downpipe of your choice (the ones connected to your guttering). As long as it has guttering, this can come from your house, garage, or shed—even your shed roof could collect 640 litres of water annually. Choose the downpipe that receives the most rain if you have more than one.
2. Make sure the butt is mounted on a sturdy, flat surface that is high enough for your watering can to fit underneath.
3. You should measure the height of the water butt on the pipe using a spirit level and a marker.
4. Use a hacksaw to cut through the downpipe after measuring 3 cm below the mark.
5. The downpipe that was chopped off fits onto the bottom of the diverter; attach the diverter to the pipe.
6. Before drilling a hole, measure eight 8 cm from the top of the water butt.
7. Install the connector by fitting it in the hole and screwing it in place.
8. Then attach the connector to the diverter before closing the lid.
How keep a water butt clean?
1. The sink should be emptied.
2. Use a coarse brush or a butt disinfectant designed for water to clean the interior of the butt. The Royal Horticultural Society recommends tying the brush to a stick if you have problems reaching any deep spots.
3. Splash some fresh water over it to rinse.
4. The quality of water can be improved by adding filters and purifiers, but this is by no means required.
Will a water butt help me save money?
Yes, because rainwater doesn’t cost anything. On a hot Summer day, outdoor water use can account for as much as 50% of the average person’s daily water intake. You may avoid using the main water supply and conserve enough water each summer to fill an entire reservoir by installing a water butt. Particularly if you pay by the gallon for your water, this might be a game-changer. We could save four billion litres of water annually if every home in England gathered the equivalent of one water butt (160 litres). You could put that cash to better use somewhere rather than wasting it.
According to the Water Services Regulation Authority, the rate for watering a garden with a hose or sprinkler is about $1.50 per hour. It’s easy to gain weight throughout the summer. The price may vary depending on your water plan, but it will always be more than necessary. Using a water butt can help you save money, especially considering how much our water consumption has increased since the introduction of covid-19 and how quickly summer is approaching.
In addition, water butts are also useful during dry spells, drought, or hosepipe bans. To most of us, having access to water is a right rather than a privilege. We don’t give it a second thought when it flows out of our faucets. Water, however, is a luxury. Half a tonne of water is delivered to every home in the United Kingdom every day, but by installing a water butt, you may significantly reduce the amount of energy and resources required for water pumping and treatment.
Vegetables and plants benefit greatly from being watered with rainwater. You’ll be doing yourself and your plants a favour by switching to this water because it’s softer, chemical-free, and more natural than regular tap water.
Some recommended high quality water butts
Grey Harcostar 227L Water Butt Barrel
To begin collecting rainwater for reuse and lowering your water bill, consider the 227-liter Harcostar Water Butt Barrel.
It is of high quality and has a polished appearance that is subtly grey; it is perfect for gardens of any size.
200L Garden Lake Water Butt
I mean, there must be a good explanation why this stuff is so popular. With its chic, quirky wood banding effect, it would be a great addition to any outdoor space. The one you’re looking at is perfect if you want something unique and interesting.
300L Slim Stone Decor Rainwater Wall Tank
If you need to store a lot of water, go no further than the 300L Slim Stone Decor Rainwater Wall Tank, which comes complete with a tap, a thread to fit it, and wall hanging attachments.
About Water Butts Direct
Water Butts Direct is the UK’s primary distributor of water butts for both residential and industrial applications. They provide a selection of high-quality water-saving devices, in addition to lightning-fast maintenance at competitive rates.
