What is a Water Butt?

Water conservation has never been more important, with rising water costs and increasing pressure on water resources due to climate change. One simple yet effective way to reduce water wastage is by using a water butt. A water butt is a container designed to collect and store rainwater from roofs for later use, typically in gardens.

Recently, I took an exciting opportunity offered by my local water company, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. They were promoting a fantastic initiative on Facebook, providing and installing water butts for free. Having considered the benefits for a while, I jumped at the chance, and I’m thrilled with the results! This firsthand experience made me even more aware of how valuable water butts can be in everyday life.

What is a Water Butt?

So, what is a water butt exactly? A water butt is more than just a container; it's a small-scale rainwater harvesting system. While the basic principle is simple – collecting rainwater – the design and components of a water butt system can vary. Typically, a water butt system comprises several key elements:

1. The Container: This is the main body of the water butt, available in various sizes, shapes (round, square, slimline), and materials. Modern water butts are often made from durable, UV-resistant plastic, while traditional options might be made from wood (though these require more maintenance). The size of the container will determine how much water you can collect and store. For example, a small water butt might hold around 100 litres, while larger ones can hold several hundred litres.

2. The Stand: Many water butts are placed on a stand to elevate them. This makes it easier to access the tap and allows gravity to assist with water flow when using a hose or watering can. The stand also helps to protect the base of the butt from damp and rot if it's placed directly on the ground.

3. The Diverter Kit: This is a crucial component that connects the water butt to your gutter downpipe. The diverter redirects a portion of the rainwater flowing down the downpipe into the water butt. Most diverters have a mechanism to stop the flow of water once the butt is full, preventing overflows. Some more sophisticated diverters even allow you to switch between diverting water to the butt and letting it flow down the drain. This is useful during winter when you might not need to collect rainwater and want to prevent it from freezing in the butt.

4. The Tap: Located near the bottom of the water butt, the tap allows you to easily dispense the collected rainwater. This is where you'll fill your watering cans or connect a hose.

How a Water Butt Works:

The journey of rainwater to your garden begins with the rain falling on your roof. The water then flows into your gutters and down the downpipe. The diverter kit, installed on the downpipe, intercepts some of this water and channels it into the water butt. The water fills the butt until it reaches the level of the diverter outlet. Once full, excess water continues to flow down the downpipe as normal. When you need water, you simply open the tap and dispense the amount you require.

Water Butt Benefits (Why Use One?)

The benefits of using a water butt extend beyond simply having a convenient source of water for your garden. They encompass environmental, financial, and practical advantages, making them a worthwhile investment for any homeowner.

Environmental Benefits:

1. Conserving Water Resources: One of the most significant benefits of using a water butt is its contribution to water conservation. By collecting rainwater, you reduce your reliance on mains water, which is a precious and increasingly scarce resource. This is particularly important in areas prone to drought or water shortages. Every drop of rainwater you collect and use is a drop saved from using the mains supply, helping to alleviate pressure on our water systems.

2. Reducing Runoff: Rainwater that falls on roofs and paved surfaces contribute to runoff, which can lead to rapid increase in flow into our combined sewers, during heavy rainfall and storms. This can result in flooding into our homes and gardens. By collecting rainwater in a water butt, you reduce the volume of runoff, helping to reduce these risks. 

3. Lowering Demand on Water Supplies: As populations grow and climate patterns change, the demand for water supplies is increasing. By using water butts, individuals can play a role in reducing this demand, helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of our water resources. This is a small change that, when adopted by many, can have a significant collective impact.

Financial Benefits:

1. Saving Money on Water Bills: If you have a metered water supply, using a water butt can lead to savings on your water bill. By using collected rainwater for tasks like watering your garden, washing your car, or cleaning outdoor areas, you reduce the amount of mains water you use, and therefore, the amount you pay for. So the initial cost of a water butt is an investment into a long-term cost saving.

Practical Benefits:

1. Convenient Access to Water: Having a water butt in your garden provides a readily available source of water for your outdoor needs. Water on tap for your garden plants and lawn. This is especially helpful during dry periods when water restrictions might be in place.

2. Versatile Uses: The uses for collected rainwater extend beyond gardening. You can use it for washing your car, cleaning windows, or even flushing the toilet (though this would require a more complex system). The possibilities are endless.

Community Benefits:

1. Rainwater management – Water butts help by diverting and slowing down the flow during heavy rainfall and storms away from combined sewers, reducing the risk of localised flooding. With increased population, more waste, assets that have been in the ground since Victorian times, and climate change all contribute to sewers at times being under significant capacity issues.

2. Collective impact – If more households install water butts, the combined effect can significantly ease pressure on our sewerage systems and improve community-wide water management. 

3. Growing Water Scarcity – With growing populations and climate change leading to unpredictable weather patterns, sustainable water management is more crucial than ever. The need for water butts is becoming increasingly urgent in the face of growing pressures on our water resources. highlighting the importance of adopting sustainable water management practices like rainwater harvesting.

Using and Maintaining a Water Butt (Practical Tips)

Once you've acquired your water butt, proper installation, usage, and maintenance are key to maximising its benefits and ensuring its longevity.

Installation:

1. Choosing a Location: As mentioned earlier, select a location close to a downpipe, on a level and firm surface, and in a convenient spot for accessing the water.

2. Connecting the Diverter: Follow the instructions provided with your diverter kit to connect it to the downpipe. Ensure the diverter is positioned correctly to allow water to flow into the butt.

3. Positioning the Butt: Place the water butt on its stand (if using) and ensure it's level. Connect the diverter hose to the inlet on the butt.

Water Usage:

1. Appropriate Uses: Collected rainwater is ideal for watering plants, washing cars, cleaning windows, and other outdoor tasks. It's not recommended for use as drinking water.

2. Other Uses: Get creative with how you use your collected rainwater. You can use it to clean patios, wash garden tools, or even flush the toilet (with a suitable system in place).

Maintenance:

Regular maintenance is essential to keep your water butt clean and functioning efficiently.

1. Regular Cleaning: Clean the water butt at least once a year, or more frequently if you notice any build-up of algae or debris. Empty the butt and scrub the inside with a brush. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

2. Checking for Leaks and Damage: Periodically inspect the water butt for any leaks or damage. Check the tap, diverter, and connections to ensure they're in good working order.

3. Preventing Algae Growth: Algae can grow in water butts, especially in sunny locations. Keeping the butt covered can also help to reduce algae growth.

4. Protecting from Freezing: Water in the butt can freeze during winter, potentially damaging the container. To prevent this, empty the butt before the first frost or add some tennis balls or similar floating objects to the water. These will take the pressure off if the water freezes. Disconnect the diverter during the winter months to prevent ice from forming in the pipe.

By following these simple tips for using and maintaining your water butt, you can ensure a reliable and sustainable source of water for your garden and other needs for years to come.

Conclusion

Water butts are a simple yet powerful tool for water conservation. It offers a multitude of benefits, from saving money on your water bill and providing a convenient source of water for your garden to contributing to a more sustainable future by reducing our reliance on mains water. They are a practical solution to the growing pressures on our water resources, particularly in the face of climate change and increasing populations. It also eases pressures on our combined sewers during heavy rainfall and storms.

My own experience with the installation of water butt at home has made me more mindful of my water consumption and more connected to my garden. Now, as I look forward to a warm and sunny summer in Wales, I can rest easy knowing that my garden will thrive with collected rainwater.

So, what are you waiting for? Start your water-saving journey today—install a water butt and make a difference! And if you're in Wales, I highly recommend checking with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to see if they have any water butt initiatives running. My experience with them was fantastic, and it's a brilliant way to get started with rainwater harvesting.