A water butt is a container designed for collecting and storing rainwater. The water can then be used for garden irrigation, washing cars, filling raised ponds or to conserve household water usage. They usually collect water from a rooftop via drain pipes. Water butts and tanks fill up surprisingly quickly this way. Rainfall in an average year can result in tens of thousands of litres of rainwater, if collected via a suitable container.
Benefits
Using water butts or tanks can take the pressure off drainage systems and reduce the chances of flooding. It’s a more environmentally friendly way of providing irrigation for gardening and growing your own food. If you pay water charges they can save you money in the long run by providing you with your own supply of water. They can also provide you with a back-up supply of water in case of hosepipe bans, droughts or water restrictions. Of course, hot and dry weather - the most likely scenario for hosepipe bans - is when plants and vegetables will need water most.
Rainwater vs Tap Water
Rainwater is more beneficial for plants and vegetables than tap water. Chemicals like chlorine and flouride are added to tap water: this is ok for humans but not so great for plants. Hard tap water is usually more alkaline, meaning it has a high mineral content. If water is too alkaline, this can affect the ability of plants to take in nutrients from the soil. It can also leave deposits on leaves. Too far in the other direction is not ideal either: long-term usage of softened water can degrade soil quality due to a build-up of sodium. The sodium can also fool plants into thinking that they’re absorbing more water than they actually are, stunting their growth.
In contrast, rainwater has a more natural balance. It’s often observed that plants and foliage look greener and lusher after it rains. Most gardeners - and most plants - prefer slightly acidic water, and rainwater certainly fits the bill (unless it’s what’s known as ‘acid rain’) During thunderstorms, nitrogen interacts with oxygen to form compounds called nitrates. Rainfall then takes these compounds to the soil, where they can be absorbed by plants through the soil, nourishing growth.
Garantia Water Butts & Tanks
Your choice of water butt may depend on how much space you have in your garden or outdoor area, or what your irrigation or water usage needs may be. We are likely to have an option for you whatever the case.
Our range of Garantia water butts and tanks provide a variety of styles, from functional budget options to large, decorative containers. We also have a range of storage capacity, from 200 litres up to 1300 litres. Aside from doing the job intended, some of these water butts can make for very attractive additions to the garden. Whether it’s a stonewall-style finish, an elegant vase-like appearance, or something that can complement your outdoor rattan furniture. The Antique Amphora and Linus water butts feature integrated planting bowls as a ‘lid’: these can be used for growing without affecting the function of the water butt.
Garantia water tanks are child proof and are designed with weather-resistant materials. A special filter, which filters the precious resources and prevents the tank from overflowing, makes the ideal connection to the downpipe. Each tank or butt comes with suitable assembly accessories. A standard thread connection makes the tap easy to install without drilling. Using a tap or the Garantia Universal Hose Kit, water extraction couldn’t be easier.