Many householders have now changed over to having metred water in an effort to reduce their annual water bills and also to make sure that they are actually only paying for water that they use. Once a water metre is installed, it does make most people more aware of water consumption in their homes and the need to not waste it. It is estimated that approximately 85,000 litres of rainwater falls on the average house in the UK every year! Knowing this, it makes sense for keen gardeners to have a water butt or two.
The smallest ones contain about 100 litres of rainwater but larger ones may contain more than 5 or 6 times that amount. Make sure you buy one with a tap so that you can fill a watering can easily. You may also need to buy a stand for your butt so that it is at the right height to stand a watering can underneath.
To install a water butt, you can cut the bottom of a down pipe so that the water from it runs straight into the top of your butt. You will need an overflow pipe which leads into the drain to prevent water from flowing over the top of the butt. Alternatively, you can cut a small notch in your drainpipe and attach a connecting pipe straight to your water butt.
Having a water butt also means that you are able to by-pass any local hosepipe or sprinkler bans that may be in force and it is far.easier to fill up a watering can from a water butt than traipsing indoors and using the kitchen tap.
