The great thing about having a water butt (or two) is that whatever the weather, you’ll always be glad you got one.
Although the UK is regarded as a wet country, regional variations in rainfall are dramatic, with areas in the south of England receiving less rain than some African countries.
Even in dry districts, an estimated 24,000 litres could be collected from the roof each year with the use of water butts.
Rainwater can be collected from any roof as long as there is a gutter and downpipe that enters the drain at ground level. Water butts with a rain diverter collect water from the downpipe and still let the overflow enter the drain.
Why water butts are winners:
- Using rainwater on your garden saves on water bills.
- Plants prefer rainwater as it has a lower pH. Minerals that are found in mains tap water, especially in hardwater areas, can raise the pH of the root zone, which affects nutrient availability. Chemicals added to mains water that are safe for humans can be harmful for plants.
- Plants are most vulnerable to shortages of water when they are first planted and their roots have not yet established into the deeper, moister layers of soil. Knowing that you can always water those fresh plantings that need it most takes avoidable stress out of gardening.
- Water butts help to reduce flood risk. Urban areas struggle to cope with heavy rainfall as there are not enough porous surfaces to absorb downpours. Water butts capture water that could contribute to surface runoff – a major cause of flooding.
- As well as the house, water butts can also be attached to sheds, garages, greenhouses and outbuildings – useful if you have a large garden that requires a lot of water. If you have a smaller garden and low-maintenance plants, you won’t need as much water so a mini butt would be better; storing more water than you need can lead to stagnation – see below.
- Rainwater is better than tap water for watering dry compost to maintain the moisture levels necessary for successful composting. Chemicals that are added to tap water can kill some of the beneficial micro-organisms that you want to nurture in your compost bin.
- A vast amount of energy is used to provide safe water to homes, so using stored rainwater or grey water (domestic wastewater) in your garden lowers your carbon emissions.
- Never is a water butt more appreciated than in the fickle British summer. Even in a wet summer your garden still needs watering – rainfall will water the soil’s surface but not deeper down. And if there’s a full week of sunshine it won’t be too long before a drought is declared, along with water restrictions and hosepipe bans.
Tips to look after your water butt
- Over time, water that is left in the butt can stagnate, causing bacteria to breed and creating bad smells. To avoid this, use the stored water regularly. Replenishing the stored water with freshly collected rainwater helps to dilute it and keep it clean.
- Keep gutters clean – debris such as bird droppings, moss and leaves can be washed into butts and rot, creating bad smells.
- A tight-fitting lid is essential to prevent debris falling in. Check or replace the lid if it doesn’t seal properly – a loose or broken lid can attract bugs and cause bacteria to grow.
- If the water smells, it is still safe to use on established plants but use a watering can instead of a spray hose to minimise the risk of inhaling any airborne bacteria.
- Remember good hand hygiene when using collected water.
- Sunlight and heat speed up stagnation, leading to the growth of bacteria, so choose a shaded area for your water butt. If you find the water butt is getting hot, give it a deep clean and move to a cooler position.
- If you use hoses for any source of water, disconnect them when you are not using them so that the water will drain out; bacteria grows in water that is left to warm up in the sun.
- If multiple water butts are used, rotate the use of each one to keep stores of water fresh. They can be joined together by a water butt connector kit.
- It’s easier to access the water if the butt has a tap at the base and sits on a stand so a watering can will stand on the ground under the tap.
How to clean your water butt
Clean your water butt once a year, preferably in autumn when you don’t need the water.
- Open the tap and let any stored water drain out completely.
- Lay the butt on its side and empty out any sludge or debris.
- Clean the outside with a hose and brush.
- Clean the inside with gardening detergent and a long-handled brush.
- Add freshener if required and let the butt refill.
Ways to keep water fresh:
- Emptying and cleaning the water butt and gutters is the best way to keep water clean.
- Be Green water butt freshener is a non-toxic treatment that keeps stored rainwater free from algae, scum and smells.
A water butt attached to a shed at Garden Organic’s garden at Ryton.
