With periods of hot, dry weather becoming more common across the UK, water usage is under increasing pressure, especially during the summer months when hosepipe bans are often introduced. One simple and effective way households can reduce their reliance on mains water is by collecting and reusing rainwater. This is where a water butt comes in.
So, what is a water butt, and how can it help UK households? In this guide, we’ll explain what a water butt is, how it works, and why it’s a practical solution for homes and gardens. From keeping plants watered during hosepipe bans to lowering water bills and supporting a more sustainable lifestyle, a water butt offers an easy way to make better use of the rainfall we already receive.
What Is A Water Butt?
A water butt is a container, typically plastic, designed to collect and store rainwater, usually from the downpipe of a roof gutter. Rather than the downpipe taking the rainwater from your guttering down into a drain, it will deposit it into the water butt. Typically, a water butt will have a tap at the bottom, so you can fill a watering can or other container with the collected water. The stored water can then be reused for outdoor tasks such as watering gardens and plants, washing garden tools or shoes, or cleaning outdoor areas.
Can I Make My Own Water Butt?
If you don’t want to buy a water butt and would prefer to be more resourceful, there are ways you can make your own.
If you don’t have a garden and perhaps just have a balcony, you could use an old plastic milk carton. Turn it upside down and cut a section of the base off – this will be where the water is caught, and the lid will act as your tap when unscrewed; fasten it to your balcony using twine or cable ties. You’ll catch a small amount of water, but this will be ideal to water a few plants.
If space isn’t so much of an issue and you need a larger water butt, you can use any large plastic container. Local companies may advertise large IBC containers that they need to get rid of, or you could use old garden bins or wheelie bins. The container you choose will need a lid, or you can fasten mesh/chicken wire to the top; this will be to keep insects and debris out of the water. You can just place your container underneath the gutter where it will catch the runoff, or you can buy a diverter kit to attach to your guttering. You’ll need to have a hole at the bottom of the container that you can place a tap in, or at least a plug; this is how you’ll get your rainwater out to be used. Ideally, the container will be placed higher than ground level, on a platform of some sort, so you can access the hole/tap with space to put a watering can underneath.
When making your own water butt, it’s important to ensure any container used is clean, watertight, and was previously food-safe where possible. Containers that have held chemicals should never be used, as residues can be harmful to plants and soil.
If all that sounds like too much hard work and you don’t mind spending the money (after all, you’ll have access to free water), you can buy water butts and the diverter kits from most hardware stores, local garden centres, or even online.
How Does a Water Butt Work?
A water butt works by collecting rainwater from your roof gutters via a downpipe diverter, storing it in a large container, and allowing you to use the stored water for watering plants or cleaning garden tools or shoes. When the water butt is full, any excess water simply continues down the downpipe to the drain. A tap at the bottom of the water butt allows you to dispense the stored water into a watering can, or similar, for use.
What Happens When Water Sits in a Water Butt?
If a water butt isn’t topped up or used regularly, the water inside can sit for long periods, particularly during dry spells. While the water may move slightly when some is drawn off, standing rainwater can gradually become stagnant. Over time, this can cause the water to turn green and encourage the growth of algae, bacteria, and fungi, which may be harmful to plants if used untreated.
To prevent these issues, it’s important to keep water butt water clean and well-balanced. Water Butt Klear is designed to do exactly that. A unique product, it uses an organic blend of beneficial bacteria, including strains from our popular Pond Klear, to effectively target the organic matter that causes green water, unpleasant odours, and algae build-up.
Unlike traditional water butt treatments that rely on harsh sanitisers or disinfectants to kill bacteria, Water Butt Klear is a safe and non-toxic solution. While other treatments can introduce harmful chemicals into your soil, Water Butt Klear helps maintain healthy water without compromising plant health.
Once the bacteria in Water Butt Klear clear your water, they continue to work year-round, keeping your water clean and fresh. Additionally, the unique blend of bacteria promotes strong plant growth, can help support improved plant growth and crop yields, and helps reduce plant diseases, offering a natural and sustainable way to care for both your water butt and garden.
Will a Water Butt Save Me Money?
A water butt will save you money on your water bills. As each household pays for drainage water – the water that goes down your drains – as you will be collecting some of that water, rather than it all going down the drain, you should see your water bill being slightly less, particularly if you’re on a water meter. You’ll also be using your tap or hose for water less, as you’ll be using free rainwater rather than paying for the water from your tap or hose to water your plants.
Savings will vary depending on your water supplier and whether your household is metered.
What are the Environmental Benefits of a Water Butt?
Aside from saving each household money, a water butt reduces the pressure on water reservoirs, especially during summer months when rain is sparse. When our reservoirs are low, we are typically met with a hosepipe ban, meaning our gardens suffer when they need water the most. With a water butt, hosepipe ban or not, you are still able to water your garden with the free rainwater you’ve collected during the rainy months.
A water butt also reduces your carbon footprint by cutting the energy needed to treat, pump, and deliver mains water to your home. By capturing rainwater before it enters the drainage system, you reduce demand on water treatment facilities while making use of a natural resource. You’re also reducing the amount of rainwater available to collect as surface water and cause potential overflowing drains or floods.
Rainwater collected from a water butt is also better for your garden. Rainwater contains nutrients that are filtered out of tap water for human consumption, and it contains less chloride and fluoride. Plants much prefer rainwater to tap water, and with a water butt, they can have it all year round.
Is a Water Butt Worth It?
For UK households, a water butt is a simple, affordable way to make better use of rainfall, reduce reliance on mains water, and keep gardens thriving during hosepipe bans. Whether you choose a ready-made system or a DIY solution, collecting rainwater helps save money, supports the environment, and provides a reliable water source when it’s needed most.
