Harvesting rainwater

It may be hard to believe in the UK as you are getting drenched in the latest downpour of rain but we are often only a matter of weeks away from severe drought.

Managing water stocks is becoming ever more important in the 21st Century.

Global warming and climate change means unusual weather patterns. These changes can result in excessively heavy rainfalls in summer and a lack of valuable water during the winter months. The need to conserve water has never been greater. If you are building a new home consider installing a full rainwater harvesting system. Even if your home was constructed many years ago you can still make some adaptations.

One of the best ways to conserve rainwater is to harvest it. Harvesting rainwater can help you manage garden water supplies efficiently. This can mean that you have a plentiful supply of rainwater throughout the seasons and the year. Rainwater will not be suitable for drinking water but can be used, for example, to water your garden, clean windows and wash paths.

How to harvest rainwater

In order to harvest the rainwater which regularly flows away from your roof you will need at least one water butt or barrel. Depending upon the size of your home more than one rain water butt may be appropriate.

Most people decide to extend their water harvesting and incorporate a garden watering system which runs from the water butt.

What you will need

• Purpose made water butt
• Alternatively a suitable container to use as a rain water butt
• Tubing
• Connecting hoses
• Overflow pipe
• Mesh guard or lid

Rainwater barrels and butts

The rainwater barrel or butt can be as simple as you want. In order to minimise costs many people utilise something appropriate which they already own. Making your own water butt can save you money but make sure that it also fulfils its purpose.

If you decide to buy a purpose made water butt or barrel check out the alternatives on line. You may want to install a few small versions or just one large water butt. Ask your local council if they are running any environment friendly schemes which enable you to purchase a water butt from them cheaply or even get one for free.

Installing a water butt

Installing your water butt will be fairly easy but consider:

• The best location in your garden. Ideally the water butt should be sited where the most rainfall can be collected.​
• Obviously this will need to be near the downspout or fall-pipe which runs from the gutters of your home. Also consider what you will use the water for. If it is for watering a vegetable patch it would be useful to install the butt within easy reach.
• With an appropriate tubing system attached to the water butt, tap watering your garden will be easy. Make holes in the tubing where water is to be used.

General advice
• Make sure the overflow pipe will let water escape well away from your home
• Inspect the rain water butt and any tubing system regularly
• Clear away debris from the mesh guard or water outlets, regularly
• More than one water butt, all connected together, will fully utilise rainfall
• Make sure any tubing or pipe connections are secure.