It’s ok just buying and replacing a water barrel, but what about if you’re buying and installing for the first time? Don’t worry. I have you covered on a step by step install guide too including how to collect rain on a polytunnel too: Some people are put off by the look of the standard water butt and, let’s be honest, they’re not he most eye catching things in the world are they?

By taking these steps, you can maintain a clean water butt and enjoy the benefits of having a sustainable water source for your garden. Final Thoughts Decorative Water Butts: These water butts are designed with aesthetics in mind, blending seamlessly into your garden design. They can mimic various materials, such as terracotta, wood, or stone, and can also resemble features like planters or urns.The Mini Rainsaver 100 litre Water Butt is identical to the Double Kit I have reviewed above with exception that it is obviously just half – to be clear though: you still get a diverter kit and a base so it is a full solution. There’s not really too much to add to this part of the review other than I can share with you how this ages very well. Here is a picture of one a year old that’s been taking full sunlight: Maintaining the cleanliness of your water butt is crucial to ensure the collected rainwater remains usable and doesn’t develop unpleasant odours or become a breeding ground for insects. Here are some steps to keep your water butt clean: Strata's beautiful Moroccan beehive water butt has a stylish terracotta effect that replicates a ceramic material. It's perfect for the stylish eco-friendly gardener looking to harvest rainwater and jazz up their garden. Contrary to its appearance it's lightweight and shatterproof, and can also withstand varying weather conditions.

While it’s certainly not the smallest, the dark green matt finish gives it an unobtrusive look that’s far from being garish. It has a very solid and sturdy build that’s further reinforced around connectors. Plus, there are internally threaded holes designed for taps and connections, and a supplied template with easy-to-follow instructions is very handy. Simply fix to your downpipe and it will begin collecting rainwater. Regularly using the collected water, cleaning the water butt, and keeping it covered to prevent debris and insects from getting in can all help prevent rainwater from stagnating. If you don’t plan to use the water for a while, consider adding a biological rainwater treatment or a drop of bleach to keep the water fresh.

So start by placing and ensuring your water butt stand is level. Use a spirit level for this (something missed in the video above). You then want to fit your tap, our mate in the video shows hand tight with no sealant. I always to this with silicone or plumbers putty and use a set of mole grips either side with a reasonably soft grip. This will get you much tighter but don’t go ballistic or you’ll break something 😀 Water can be stored in a water butt for several weeks to a few months, although it’s best to use it sooner to prevent it from becoming stagnant. If you notice an unpleasant smell or insects in the water, it’s time to clean your water butt and replace the water.

Also, unlike the other water butts that I reviewed, where the downfill pipe attached into the side of the water butt, this one connects via its lid . This is unusual, but neither good nor bad. This, in turn, makes them great for sustainable water supply. “With climate change, certainly, in the South, we have a water storage and supply issue so everyone needs to club together to be more aware of sensible water usage,” adds Raven and Lewis. As such, water butts are a great way to take advantage of the wet weather when we eventually get some much-needed rainfall. No, collecting rainwater is not illegal in the UK. In fact, it’s encouraged as it’s an excellent way to conserve water and reduce dependency on mains water.This very popular kit from Harcostar contains a water butt that can hold 350 litres which is the largest of all in this review. It also includes a raintrap diverter and stand. The price means no diverter or stand but this gives you flexibility if you have a non standard downpipe or stand setup.