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Water harvesting

janine.haynesjanine.haynes Posts: 3
in Tools and techniques
I live in a housing association property where I’m not allowed to install a water butt using the downpipe. 

I guess I need a suitable barrel but where can I get one? They all seem to require the downpipe being accessed to capture the water. Any suggestions where I can buy something more suitable. I also need it to be child safe because my toddler loves playing with the tub I’m using that she contaminates with tap water (my carnivorous plants won’t be happy with that so I’ve been buying distilled water but it isn’t something I can continue using because it’s too expensive.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. 

Posts

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    You could possibly adapt a rainwater barrel for your use.  I'm assuming you are intending to tip your grey water in there rather than leave it open in the hopes of catching rainwater ?
    There have been several threads/posts on water harvesting systems - perhaps use the Search facility to find them and see if they would be of help.
    It seems extremely short sighted of your HA to forbid the installation of a water butt.  Best of luck with finding an answer and I'm sure someone on here will be along to help before long :)
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    At a basic level, could you put some mesh over an ordinary water butt with lid removed of course and start to harvest rainwater first. I have also seen rain chains/ catchers hung from trees etc. These could help direct excess water into your container.
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    Can you say a little more about where the water to fill it will come from? (I'm finding it hard to visualize)
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    How odd. All the housing associations in Wales are quite keen on water butts for their houses and they seem to get brownie points for installing them. I have seen a lot of problems caused by broken downpipes at HA properties though so I can understand the reluctance. 
    Home Bargains, Lidl and similar shops usually sell a slimline 100litre butt for £20 and it comes with lid, stand, tap and diverted for the down pipe. It's a really great deal for what you get.
    Personally I can fill a 5 litre water bottle from the local stream as many times as I need it for sensitive plants if I run out of stored water but I imagine that's not an easy option for everyone.

    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • janine.haynesjanine.haynes Posts: 3
    StephenSouthwest said:
    Can you say a little more about where the water to fill it will come from? (I'm finding it hard to visualize)
    I want to collect rain water without using the downpipe from the guttering. 
  • janine.haynesjanine.haynes Posts: 3
    wild edges said:
    How odd. All the housing associations in Wales are quite keen on water butts for their houses and they seem to get brownie points for installing them. I have seen a lot of problems caused by broken downpipes at HA properties though so I can understand the reluctance. 
    Home Bargains, Lidl and similar shops usually sell a slimline 100litre butt for £20 and it comes with lid, stand, tap and diverted for the down pipe. It's a really great deal for what you get.
    Personally I can fill a 5 litre water bottle from the local stream as many times as I need it for sensitive plants if I run out of stored water but I imagine that's not an easy option for everyone.

    I am a little surprised as it is an eco home. I wish the had one already installed so that they could have already had it there and reducing tenant error. 

    You are lucky to have a beautiful stream nearby to get your water! ☺️
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    As you can't harvest rainwater from the roof where are you going to collect it from? If you only need a few litres at a time then a simple bucket on the ground to catch rainfall might be enough. Keeping your toddler away from it may be your biggest problem though unless you can position the bucket out of reach.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I assume you've tried asking them to put one in? Lay it on thick about water rates and the cost of living crisis etc. My experience of HAs is that they have a limited amount of grease and a lot of very squeaky wheels but if you find the right person to squeak at then they're usually helpful enough. The rainwater diverters are very non-invasive to fit and can be capped off easily if a future tenant complains about having to put up with free water.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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