Plastic water bottles are water-saving miracles, but they have historically been unsightly and should be kept out of sight. Thoughtful versions that twice as planters, decorations, and even fountains have been developed by designers as a result of the increased importance placed on water conservation.
Because “one of the barriers to installing a water butt is that it’s got to be in the garden, and we need our gardens to look nice, don’t we?” the market was ready for a change. explains Gin Tidridge, product sustainability manager at Kingfisher, the company that owns B&Q.
A very tiny water butt is one of our top sellers, she claims. It only holds 100 litres. It’s not a lot of water, but it’s still useful. It’s nice if anything seems good while we’re looking at something bigger.
According to Water UK, the average Briton uses 142 litres of water per day, which is often underestimated. Last summer, when extended dry conditions led to a drought being declared throughout large swaths of England, the necessity of using it properly was pounded home.
Sir James Bevan, the head of the Environment Agency at the time, listed the precautions that regular people should take indoors and outside to prevent severe droughts, including getting a water butt.
“Small things make a big difference,” he declared. Shower rather than bathe. Only run the dishwasher or washing machine when it’s completely full. As you are brushing your teeth, shut off the faucet. Get a water bottle and put it outside because plants like rainwater. Don’t water the grass; instead, use a watering can.
Some people have taken action, maybe motivated by the installation of a water meter. The most common alteration is the installation of a water-efficient toilet (31%), followed by the installation of a water butt (26%) and a low-flow showerhead (18%). The poll found that a third (31%) of respondents had not implemented any water-saving practices in their residence.
Of course, some gardeners aren’t concerned with appearances, and a 200-liter water container can be purchased on eBay for less as £10. The assortment offered by well-known high street brands like B&Q and specialized companies like Water Butts Direct is miles far from the green plastic tubs of yesteryear if you want to spend more.
There are models that take up little room and are slender, as well as containers that may be made prettier by adding a planter. Some even have beehive or wooden barrel shapes.
Tidridge explains, “You are able to spend as much or as little as you want.” “Getting a decent setup is crucial, so make sure of that. The simplest technique to ensure that you can place a watering can beneath the faucet is to have a stand. We sell a ton of water butt packages, which come with a stand, a diverter (a piece of pipe and plastic that connects to your downpipe), and other components. (A 100-liter butt with stand and diverter is available from B&Q for £32).
Both low-cost models under £25 and high-end ones cost several thousand pounds are offered by Water Butts Direct. The volume varies from 50 liters to a whopping 1,300 liters. The 300-liter Helena amphora (£356), according to one reviewer, “is an excellent addition to any garden, as it resembles an amphora but is plastic… and is so pleasing to the eye,” and the Madison rain barrel, a 185-liter water barrel that doubles as a fountain (£271), are two eye-catching designs.
You might feel like you’ve missed the boat this year since the warmer weather is upon us already, but Tidridge, who has three water butts put up in her garden and recently purchased a pump, says that’s not the case.
In a perfect world, the water tank would be constructed by the end of March or the beginning of April, by which time it would be nearly full and prepared for the season. However, a water butt works really well in terms of utilizing the rain when it does fall, given the manner in which that our weather is changing, with hot, dry intervals and unexpected huge deluges.