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sludge

Greenhouse glassGreenhouse glass Posts: 20
in Problem solving
I inherited a large waterbutt about 18 years ago. The sludge has built up and  I have to remove it. How should I dispose of the sludge? Is it okay to dig it in soil? or if not how should I  dispose of it. What is the best way to stop the build up of sludge in the future?

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’d mix it into your compost heap next time you turn it 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Hampshire_HogHampshire_Hog Posts: 1,089
    Agree with Dove just put it on the compost heap and mix in,

    As for stopping it I don't know that you will completely but one way that I use my self is to put a piece of scrunched up chicken wire and or sponge in the end of feed pipe this will stop most of the rubbish getting into the water butt.

    Of course these need cleaning out occasional so you just have to decide which is easier move and clear out the butt once a year or clearing out the pipe.

    "You don't stop gardening because you get old, you get old because you stop gardening." - The Hampshire Hog
  • treehugger80treehugger80 Posts: 1,923
    i tend to wait until we're forecast some decent rain (like whats just happened) and give it a rinse beforehand and then let it fill back up again
  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,847
    Last year during the hot dry summer, remember that! I ran out of rainwater for the blueberries so at one point I emptied the sludge out of the water butt onto the blueberry tubs, it acted as a mulch.
  • HelixHelix Posts: 631
    melodyquincey said:
    Yes. Pop in compost and mix!! Maybe buy a filter to stop 'rubbish' such as leaves etc getting in :) 

    You can also buy a Fresh disc to keep your butt sterile :) 
    Why in heaven’s name would you add a fresh disc to your water butt!  Bad enough using unnecessary chemicals in a toilet,  but not in something that you will be watering plants with and perhaps even vegetables you eat. 
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    You can make a simple filter out of an old plastic plant pot with a mesh bag, old tights,  hessian or similar inside. Alternatively you can use a length of hosepipe to syphon out the sediment into a bucket if you can't move the butt. Tie the end of the hose to a cane to move it about in the water.

    I get lots of moss and things on mine so whenever they're empty I give them a rinse out into one of the flower beds.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    @helix we’ve just established that Melody works for a water butt company ... in Sales 🙄 😠 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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