How does a water butt work?

Water butt systems are very simple additions to our drainage network that enable gardeners to use and recycle rainwater.

When it rains, water falls onto our roof and trickles into our gutters before flowing down a downpipe and into our drains. But, with a water butt, much of the water is channelled into a container rather than your drain through a diverter installed within your drainpipe.

When the container reaches capacity, the rain will continue to head straight into your drainage system, bypassing the rainwater diverter.

Why have a water butt?

Water is a valuable resource, so collecting and storing rainwater is worthwhile and comes with many benefits, such as:

Convenience for allotment owners

For many gardeners, an allotment is a little slice of heaven. Unfortunately, the one thing heaven is missing is an outside tap and running water. A water butt provides a water source for allotment plants that’s easy to access and free to use. 

A more plant-friendly option than tap water

Using collected rainwater to water gardens is often the preferred choice for gardeners as it’s more beneficial for their plants.

Tap water goes through a filtration and refining process to make it safe for human consumption. However, added chemicals such as chlorine, salts, and minerals aren’t so favourable for plants.

Rainwater has a slightly acidic pH which most plants prefer – plus, it also contains essential nitrates and other organic matter that feeds them and helps them to grow stronger. 

Collecting water saves you money

Water butts are a cost-effective solution as rainwater is completely free, which helps to keep the water bills down.

If you’re on a water meter, using mains water to spray your plants and lawn is the last thing you want to be doing. On average, outdoor water can account for 7% of your total household water usage – in summer, this can be significantly more!

By investing in a water butt, the initial saving may not seem significant but over time, substantial savings can be made which is great news for your pocket!

Using rainwater is better for the environment

The UK often feels like one of the rainiest places on earth at times – even in summer! But, by utilising a water butt you can actually benefit from the bad weather in an environmentally friendly way – not to mention it can be a lifesaver during hosepipe bans when water resources are under pressure. 

As mentioned previously, tap water is treated and pumped before it lands in your home – in fact, it takes a significant amount of energy to treat tap water which inadvertently impacts your own carbon footprint.

Using stored rainwater instead of mains water to water your plants, especially when collected in a water butt made from recycled plastic, is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and support the environment.  

Buying and installing a water butt

DIY stores or garden centres are the best places to find the right water butt as you can speak with professionals who know what you need.

When choosing a water butt, there are plenty of readily available options for you to pick from – the most common is the green plastic containers with black lids. However, various designs and shapes are available, including beehive-shaped, slimline, terracotta, stone, or even a double-up as a planter. 

But, if you want to be super sustainable, there is the option to make your own water butt by reusing old plastic or wooden barrels. If you opt for a homemade water butt, you need to bear the following in mind:

– If you reuse a wooden barrel, you must line it with a pond liner or polythene to prevent the wood from rotting.

– Be sure to avoid containers previously used to store chemicals as they could seep into the water.

– Consider using a dark and opaque material as a transparent/light material is more likely to cause algae to grow.

What about fitting my water butt?

Your water butt system installation only requires a simple tweak to your roof drainage system and a container to hold water. Here’s how you install one:

– Select a downpipe to attach your water butt to and position the container beneath it. 

– Raise your container off the ground – this way, you can fit a watering can underneath its tap. If the water butt doesn’t come with a stand, use bricks and stack them up to make a stable, solid base. You should also ensure that the butt is positioned away from trees to prevent debris from finding its way into the butt.

– Cut the downpipe 3cm below the height of the water butt using a hacksaw.

– Connect a rainwater diverter to the trimmed pipe end.

– Measure 8cm down from the peak of the water butt using a tape measure and drill a hole for the connector component – attach this component by pushing it through the hole.

– You can then secure the connector part to the diverter installed earlier using the fittings provided – if your water butt is homemade, you’ll need to invest in appropriate fittings.

Then, you’re ready to start your rainwater harvesting! That was easy, right?