Installing A Water Butt

Collecting rainwater has never been more important. Tim Rumball shows you how to save it

- Tim Rumball

DROUGHTS in spring, floods in summer – the weather in the UK is becoming more extreme and unpredictable each year, which means saving rainwater when it falls can be a lifesaver for your garden. Most traditionally built houses have gutters and downpipes to channel rainwater into soakaways or drains. Catching this water for use on your garden in dry spells will take pressure off the drain network, helping to ease the flood risk, and save money on your water bill.

Diverting the rain

Simply sticking the end of a downpipe from the roof gutter into a water butt might seem like a good idea, but it’s not as you’ll risk a flood when it overflows. Fit a cheap and simple rain diverter instead. When fitted correctly, this will automatically direct water coming down the pipe into the water butt until it is full, then send excess water back down the pipe into the soakaway or drain.