Water Tanks Blog

Rising costs of Water and the benefits of Rainwater Harvesting

rising-costs-of-water-and-the-benefits-of-rainwater-harvesting

Rainwater Harvesting Tanks take on Rising water bills

Feeling the Squeeze? Rising Water Costs and How Rainwater Harvesting Can Save the Day


Is your water bill giving you a nasty shock lately? You're not alone. Water prices seem to be rising faster than a politician's promises, leaving many of us feeling like we're constantly treading water (pun intended!). But fear not, fellow water warriors! There's a superhero in our midst, and its cape is made of… raindrops! Yes, I'm talking about rainwater harvesting, a powerful tool that can help you fight back against rising water costs and become a champion for sustainability.

Why are water bills climbing?

Several factors contribute to the rising cost of water. Ageing infrastructure needs repairs, treatment processes require energy, and droughts are putting a strain on resources. These factors combine to create a perfect storm for our wallets. Also, there of course the external factors of economic and political forces swaying the driving force of costs but without delving into that debacle, let us focus on the facts of overall strains on the processing of clean water. 

Enter the rainwater hero: Harvesting for the win!

Rainwater harvesting is the practice of collecting and storing rainwater for later use. It's like having your own personal water bank, filled with free, natural goodness. Here's how it can benefit you:

  • Slash your water bill: Use harvested rainwater for non-potable tasks like watering the garden, washing the car, or even flushing the toilet (with proper systems). Every drop you collect is a drop you don't have to pay for from the mains supply.
  • Be kind to Mother Earth: By reducing your reliance on municipal water, you're helping to conserve precious resources and reduce the strain on treatment plants. This translates to a greener planet for everyone!
  • Drought-proof your garden: No more wilting plants during dry spells! Rainwater harvesting ensures your garden oasis gets the hydration it needs, even when the rain decides to take a vacation.
  • Boost your home's value: Rainwater harvesting systems are increasingly seen as a valuable asset, adding to the sustainability and appeal of your property.

Is it right for you?

Absolutely! Rainwater harvesting systems come in all shapes and sizes, from simple barrels to sophisticated underground tanks. The best system for you will depend on your needs, budget, and local regulations.

Ready to take the plunge?

Do some research, explore different systems, and consider consulting a professional. Remember, every drop counts, and with rainwater harvesting, you can make a positive impact on your wallet, your environment, and your future. So, join the rainwater revolution and start saving water (and money!) today!

Bonus tip: Keep an eye out for government incentives and rebates that can help offset the cost of installing a rainwater harvesting system. Let's all work together to create a more water-secure future!

I hope this general article provides a helpful overview of the benefits of rainwater harvesting. If you have any specific questions or would like to delve deeper into a particular aspect, feel free to ask! 0800 688 9823

Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting Systems

benefits-of-rainwater-harvesting-systems

Harness the Power of Rain: Unveiling the Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting Systems

 

Imagine slashing your water bill, reducing your environmental impact, and nurturing a flourishing garden – all thanks to the magic of raindrops! Rainwater harvesting systems are no longer just a niche concept; they're becoming an increasingly popular way to transform your home and contribute to a sustainable future.

But what exactly are the benefits of rainwater harvesting systems?

Let's delve into the reasons why you might want to consider joining the rainwater revolution:

  • Save precious pennies: Rainwater is free, literally falling from the sky! By collecting and storing it, you can reduce your reliance on municipal water supplies, leading to lower water bills. Every drop you harvest is a drop saved, both for your wallet and the environment.
  • Be kind to Mother Nature: Rainwater harvesting systems help reduce stormwater runoff, which can overwhelm drainage systems and pollute waterways. By capturing and storing rainwater, you'll be lessening your impact on local ecosystems and contributing to cleaner water sources.
  • Give your garden a drink: Lush lawns and vibrant flowerbeds crave hydration, but using treated municipal water for outdoor watering can be wasteful. Rainwater, however, is perfect for quenching your thirsty plants, promoting healthy growth without straining precious resources.
  • Embrace sustainable style: Rainwater harvesting systems are inherently eco-friendly. They require minimal energy to operate and reduce your reliance on resource-intensive water treatment plants. So, you can feel good about making a positive impact while enjoying the benefits of rainwater.
  • BREEAM points galore: If you're looking to build or renovate your home with sustainability in mind, rainwater harvesting systems can be a game-changer. They can contribute valuable points towards BREEAM certification, a globally recognized standard for green buildings.

Ready to make the switch to rainwater power?

Installing a rainwater harvesting system is an investment in your home, your wallet, and the planet. With a variety of systems available to suit different needs and budgets, there's sure to be a perfect fit for you. So, why wait? Start reaping the benefits of rainwater today and become a water steward for a brighter tomorrow!

 

Bonus tip: When searching for rainwater harvesting systems, consider factors like your local climate, roof size, and water usage needs. Consulting with a professional can help you choose the right system and ensure it's installed correctly.

How Do I Look After My Water Butt in Winter?

A rainwater harvesting system is invaluable during drier months and when we tend to garden more but when the weather changes, we garden less and our once often used water butt can become neglected. This season is as important as any when it comes to maintaining and caring for your water butt so that you can use it all year round. For it to survive the temperatures and lowered usage just follow our handy hints and your system will still be at its best come summer time.

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Should I buy a water butt, water barrel or water tank?

Should I buy a water butt, water barrel or water tank?

Collecting rainwater used to be just the pursuit of the hardened gardener but in recent years, more and more councils across the UK have started to install water butts on new build houses to stop flooding and to save their sewage systems from being overwhelmed. Even if harvested rainwater is thrown down a kitchen sink, it staggers the rainfall and eases flooding in the streets during a storm. The good news is, the more we harvest rainwater, the more things we find out we can do with it (read our article on how rainwater harvesting could save you money to find out what you can do with collected rainwater). Water butts, water tanks and water barrels can help to create a sustainable garden and support people wanting to live in an eco-friendly manner. Rainwater harvesting systems have become a hero to many so you may be considering installing one yourself.

Read through this definitive guide on whether you should have a water butt, water barrel or water tank:

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The history of rainwater harvesting systems

The history of rainwater harvesting systems

Many of us now know about rainwater harvesting systems and what they are used for, but it was not always as popular as it is now. Water butts, and online searches for rainwater harvesting is up 200% in the last year so, the public are becoming more interested in collecting rainwater and more people are using it for more than just watering plants. This water can also be used for cleaning cars, flushing toilets and more, which can help a household become eco-friendlier. The wealth of knowledge on this subject is growing as communities educate each other on rainwater harvesting and the benefits of becoming more self-sufficient. Modern water supplies are filtered and brought in from reservoirs, but how did our ancestors get hold of water when they did not have systems we have now?

water from sewer

The Romans

Millions of tourists flock every year to see the many towns and cities in the UK that have remnants from the Roman Empire still standing. It is a real testament to Roman engineering that some of these buildings and constructions still exist and people can visit them. One notable structure that still stands are Aqueducts. Some of these are still used in parts of Europe as railway bridges and as a transport for water. Originally, these were placed to help bring water down from outside sources such as fresh springs to fill latrines, public baths, private households and fountains. The water was moved downwards using gravity and had sedimentation tanks built in to take away any debris. This was a remedy to people collecting rainwater in storage jars and cisterns as their populations and need to build structured civilisations grew.

bridge

Filtering & Purifying Water Around the World

Early water treatments included boiling water in the sunshine but if boiling water this way was impossible, other communities would use sand in cisterns to filter rainwater. As people started to cook using heat, water was boiled over fires to kill disease and impurities. Although boiling water is one of the most effective ways of killing bacteria and diseases, distillation was invented in the 8th Century as a slower, heat free but very effective way of creating safe water.

As our knowledge of chemicals and compounds grew, Ancient Egyptians found that adding Alum to unfiltered water would group all impurities together and make it easy to skim particles and debris away. Also, the use of filtering using charcoal popularised as civilisations found it to be advantageous. Some of these methods are still used in areas of the world where running water is unfiltered.

For millions of years, civilisations have found ways of improving water quality and taste, but there was not one standard way of providing pure water to populations. Thanks to leaps in science in the last 150 years, most of the world has been able to have safe drinking water in our houses. Also, with inventions such as the Gutter Mate, we have been able to filter debris from rainwater straight from our gutters with ease.

Modern Day

With advances in technologies, we are now able to harvest rainwater and cut back on the filtered water that is now our main supply. In a way, it is almost like we have had to take a step back in time to become eco-friendlier and help take the strain away from modern reservoirs and the demand for pure water. Studies also suggest that rainwater is actually better for watering plants, fruit and vegetables as it is less treated and more organic.



Rainwater harvesting packages and water butts have come in leaps and bounds over recent years as we take huge steps away from storage jars and filtering water by hand. On large scales you can have rainwater pumped back into your house (after being properly filtered) and smaller scales, you can install a water butt and harvest rainwater relatively cheaply and fuss-free.

If you are interested in having rainwater pumped back into your house, call us on 01462 429720 or explore our systems and packages. To start a rainwater harvesting project, delve into our large range of water butts and decorative water butts (so that you don’t compromise on style!).

Our full range can be found here at Water Butt Warehouse.

Why should you get a water butt?

Why should you get a water butt?

As we all could have guessed, our British summer has brought us both the highs of scorching hot days and the lows of the more customary wet ones.

This unpredictable nature of our weather means that we should always be prepared for the inevitable downpour to ruin the BBQ plans!

Whilst that might be enough to make people move abroad, some that will be thankful for the rain include your garden plants.

So, have you ever considered how a water butt could make a difference to caring for them (and you!)?

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