Waterbutt ( Rain Harvesting )

dannyjo22 · 20 Mar 2011 at 11:21

I got two from aldi last week £24.99 each including stands and connection kits. I'm hoping to start stringing loads together and buy a pump for the grass this summer.

Participant · 20 Mar 2011 at 11:28

GJ02 said:
If you have nothing constructive to add to the thread then don't post in the hope it gets trashed because you think it has potential for something other than what im asking.

It's [FnG]magnolia. You can't be surprised?

On the subject, no I don't and I think it would be a total waste of my time especially since i'm not on a meter.

Rroff · 20 Mar 2011 at 11:30

My aunt used to have 2 waterbutts collecting from her garage/outbuilding roof (one for each side of the gable) and they'd fill up pretty quickly infact one good rainfall could put a substantial amount in them.

GJ02 · 20 Mar 2011 at 11:51

Robbie G said:
I think it would be a total waste of my time especially since i'm not on a meter.

yeah wifey just told me this too
but i like the idea of it, so im going to do it anyway

arc@css · 20 Mar 2011 at 11:52

Apart from the hotter weather in the height of summer, I tend to find the levels don't drop that low, there always seems to be enough in reserve. Great also for when you're outside and need to clean something.

Zip · 20 Mar 2011 at 11:53

Andr3w said:
SSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 20 Mar 2011 at 12:51

Zip said:
Rain water tastes nicer and is healthier though

And it was just 1 or 2 years ago i remember laughing at you lot for somehow managing to be in a drought

No way seriously. All the crap in the air now is collected in rain water as it falls. If you let it rain for 10 minutes before you collect then yes it will be fairly clean.

Its funny years ago (like 20+) rain water was suggest to be harvested for keeping tropical fish as it was cleaner than mains water, thats very much NOT the advice now. Rain water is pretty much a death sentance for your fish if untreated.

GBH4 · 20 Mar 2011 at 13:00

We have two in the garden. You can get them cheap via the local council. Excellent for watering the garden.

StoutMeister · 20 Mar 2011 at 13:02

We don't use butts, but have a large water tank that we use for everything. In the rare event it dries -up we are connected to the mains also.

Greenlizard0 · 20 Mar 2011 at 13:05

Top tip though - it's all good saving water for when there's a dry period, but the drums often get things clogged up / growing in them.

When you eventually get round, after a bit of hot dry weather, to having to use the water stored up you'll find it stinks. :/

Street · 20 Mar 2011 at 13:12

My parents have got about five in their garden, they've had them for years and use them for all the plants in the garden. I keep meaning to get one for my small garden for the summer now that I've switched over to a water meter..

Glaucus · 20 Mar 2011 at 13:14

Greenlizard0 said:
Top tip though - it's all good saving water for when there's a dry period, but the drums often get things clogged up / growing in them.

When you eventually get round, after a bit of hot dry weather, to having to use the water stored up you'll find it stinks. :/

You can buy a whole range of filters and pumps, all depends what you want to do and how much you want to spend.

Greenlizard0 · 20 Mar 2011 at 13:16

I'm sure you can, though it somewhat negates the whole point if you're spending a large outlay, and probably some more to maintain it no?

Think most people just connect a drum, with a pipe upto their roof.

Zip · 20 Mar 2011 at 13:19

robskinner said:
No way seriously. All the crap in the air now is collected in rain water as it falls. If you let it rain for 10 minutes before you collect then yes it will be fairly clean.

Its funny years ago (like 20+) rain water was suggest to be harvested for keeping tropical fish as it was cleaner than mains water, thats very much NOT the advice now. Rain water is pretty much a death sentance for your fish if untreated.

I suppose in the city that is true. but in the Country it will be much cleaner

You lot do have the problem of a poo load of people on a tiny island though

Glaucus · 20 Mar 2011 at 13:21

Greenlizard0 said:
I'm sure you can, though it somewhat negates the whole point if you're spending a large outlay, and probably some more to maintain it no?

Think most people just connect a drum, with a pipe upto their roof.

Not really, about £15 for a basic filter that will remove leaves and other material and you you need to do is clean it out, once in a while, up to 1300 to turn it into drinking water.

They do, but people should spend a bit extra and at least get a basic filter to stop sludge and blockages. A standard down piper connector will cost about £9 whilst one with a filter in is about £15, it makes sense to just do it.