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Student needing feedback for class project! Please help! :D
Hello!
I've chosen to do a project proposal on my city providing citizens with inexpensive rain barrels to reduce runoff pollution and teach water management. For those of you who own rain barrels,
-What do you like/dislike about them?
-What issues arise in care and maintenance?
-Have you noticed any savings in your water bills?
Also, do you have any resources or suggestions for my project? I'm just starting, so any information you have is appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
I've chosen to do a project proposal on my city providing citizens with inexpensive rain barrels to reduce runoff pollution and teach water management. For those of you who own rain barrels,
-What do you like/dislike about them?
-What issues arise in care and maintenance?
-Have you noticed any savings in your water bills?
Also, do you have any resources or suggestions for my project? I'm just starting, so any information you have is appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
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Posts
I have 6 waterbutts at home,im not yet on a water meter so no idea how much it will save. All the butts are empty now but i do try and save rainwater for the blueberries that i grow in big pots. Only problem i have had so far is the tap gatting blocked so when they are empty i give them all a good clean.You then need someonr with a log arm who can hold the tap steady on the inside whilst you screw it in from the outside. Definately a 2 person job. Each year i think where can i put another one.
My mums dog had a habit of turning the taps on and when you got out there all the water had gone. Never could stop her. Good luck
Could it be designed with a stronger and higher stand? The stands that come with them really can't support the weight of them when full. So many have buckled and I've had to empty and start again. As to the height some of my more elderly customers have a real job bending down so if a table specially designed...say a semicircle or a half a semicircle (if you get what I mean)....to fit under a barrel could be made it would make life a hell of a lot easier for some. And yes! the colour horrendous plastic shiny green. Something more muted not shiny that could be camouflaged better would be great!
I echo the responses above but also have the added problem of the base on large butts splitting at the base - and all the water runs away...! Smaller butts don't seem to have this problem but that means I have to have more of them. I recently invested in a proper oak cask, at vast expense. It looks good but I dare not empty it because it will need soaking all over again!
You don't say which city you are working in. Are you in Britain somewhere?
I'm from Wisconsin in the US, pretty far away from Britian
I find it funny you call them waterbutts! I've never heard that! Thanks so much for your feedback! I hope you don't mind me using some direct quotes from this forum?
I use 2x 250 gallon IBCs on my allotment plot (it's basically a rented garden).
Cons:
Pros:
I have 2x 120litre waterbutts on each side of the green house and one 240litre waterbutt collecting from the garage. I like mine because my greenhouse i'm not near the outside tap. so when im in the greenhouse ive got water right next to me. the one down side is if you let them get to empty and the wind picks up they are likely to blow over. (i've placed two bricks each in the bottom on mine), which always worries me the one's near the greenhouse. also i dont like the fact the taps are low on them ok to get the last of the water out of it. but then means you have to place the butts on stands.
Did you know that a hosepipe uses around 1,000 litres per hour – as much as a family of four for two days!
Here are a couple of links:
Carbon footprint of manufacturing waterbutts
Wateruseitwisely
Good luck!
I don't think there's anything you can't find on t'internet if you look hard enough
If you asked the Mrs she would say that rainwater collection and irrigation systems are my latest favourite fad.
We have had many, many issues surrounding water on our allotment site and I'm trying to become self-sufficient. My plan is to have a drip feed system on the plot by next year so that if we ever have a weather spell like this one again (fingers and toes crossed) I can be sure that I won't run out of water. Otherwise I have to be at the plot at stupid o'clock to fill one plastic drum every two hours due to the lack of water pressure. Not to mention the availability of a tap and that people steal hozelock tap adapters.
some plastics go brittle out in sunlight and u end up turning up to a very wet garden when they crack on u. at this time of year u end up filling them with a hose rather than re-useing rain water but all in all a great idea as u can place them as close as u like to your plants meaning less walking back and forward with a watering can to your nearest tap. some councils will supply u with a butt for a small charge it may be worth u contacting them to find out some more stuff like prices and the number sent out in a year - showing you haw affective it has been in your local area. Good Luck and keep up the College work it pays of in the end
Hi Liz I have three water butts. I top up the small pond with most of the rain water, to prevent larve being laid in the butts I put a finely woven fabric over the open top securing it tightly before putting the lid on. If manufactures fitted or at least provided this fabric it would be helpful. Good luck with your project.