Reasons to get a water butt/barrel

Installing water butts

Types available commercially

Making your own

If you have any questions which have not been answered here or at any of the links then email me so I can find the answer for you and maybe produce a FAQ for water butts

Reasons for getting a Water Butt
(Or my bit for the Environment)

Water butts and barrels really should be an essential item in every English garden. The amount of rain we receive is best kept for those dry periods or for watering certain plants with.

If you live in an area supplied by hard water then you are asking for trouble using tap water to water ericaceous plants or acid lovers. Hard water can have a pH of around 9. The long term effect is to neutralize the acid content of the soil.

Water caught in a water butt is also good for the environment. First by collecting the water you are in a small way reducing the possibility of damage caused by flooding. Imagine every house collecting 80 gallons of water. Secondly, water from the tap is treated with chemicals like Fluoride and Chlorine so you are reducing the amounts needed.

If you live in an area using water meters then the savings can be vast. You can also use so called grey water from the house. Grey water is that obtained from baths and showers etc.

Read more about Water Management in the Garden
 

Installing water butts

• The first thing to cover is safety.  A secure base or fixing is required. For each litre of water the weight is 1kg.(2.2lbs). Imagine two large men falling onto a child then you have the results of a 180 litre water butt falling.
• Child proof lids are available that not only prevent children falling in but also can stop mosquitos from breeding.
• The height above ground level should be sufficient for you to put a watering can under the tap, or a bucket.
• You need to have access under the water butt to allow filling of the watering cans
• Try to locate the water butt closely to a downpipe but without looking obtrusive.
• There are products on the market that can be added to the water to stop algae growing and also keep the water sweet. Take Biotal Refresh for example.

Types available commercially

Before looking at the different types lets look at what to look for in a water butt.

1. A child proof lid is a must. The lid also reduces mosquitoes and prevents birds drowning.

2. A lockable tap can prevent little hands from letting all that valuable water go to drain.

3. The tap should also allow for a standard hosepipe to be connected.

4. The larger the capacity the more water you can store. (Depends upon the location of the downpipe.

The two types I know of are the round type and the semi circle type.
The former is the more common in use, and is for general purpose use.
Where space is limited or to reduce the visual impact the semi circular type fits flush to a wall.

 Water Butt  listed on this website

Making your own

Still looking for some resources on this. Pallecons maybe obtained that have a capacity of 1000 litres but are not exactly good looking

Products using keyword Water Butt available on ebayUK right now.