Water butts

[ShampooEfficient]

I'm in the midst of moving in with Woman. We're looking at ways to save money, and while applying to be put on a water meter I noticed they had "special offers" on water butts. Ignoring the fact an Argos one is half the price and does much the same... what can you actually use the water for? Is there a way to filter it and connect it to the mains, or is it just for those of a Titchmarsh persuasion, for watering the garden?

[netherfield]

You can flush the loo with it,but it means carrying buckets in to the house.

[ShampooEfficient]

netherfield said:

You can flush the loo with it,but it means carrying buckets in to the house.

Sod that for a game of toy soldiers. Like some sort of bizarre Japanese game show given the circuitous route I'd have to take.

[Jasandjules]

I use them for making up water for my fishtanks.......

But yes I believe the rainwater is better for the plants (we are supposed to use it on the herb/rose garden but frankly the f***rs grow like triffids even though I never use the water butt water) so gardeners rely on them.....

[Smiler.]

netherfield said:

You can flush the loo with it,but it means carrying buckets in to the house.

Or even better, save water by taking a st at next doors

[dickymint]

ShampooEfficient said:

I'm in the midst of moving in with Woman. We're looking at ways to save money, and while applying to be put on a water meter I noticed they had "special offers" on water butts. Ignoring the fact an Argos one is half the price and does much the same... what can you actually use the water for? Is there a way to filter it and connect it to the mains, or is it just for those of a Titchmarsh persuasion, for watering the garden?

Carry it on your head to the nearest reservoir and chuck it in!

This has got to be the daftest question ever asked on PH

[parapaul]

In a vain effort to be sensible, I've heard that rainwater is supposed to be much better for rinsing after washing the car, because it's not hard water it won't leave water spots.

[dickymint]

parapaul said:

In a vain effort to be sensible, I've heard that rainwater is supposed to be much better for rinsing after washing the car, because it's not hard water it won't leave water spots.

Apart from all the volcanic dust. Not to mention all the crap that gets washed off your roof with it.

[Chris993C4]

dickymint said:

parapaul said:

In a vain effort to be sensible, I've heard that rainwater is supposed to be much better for rinsing after washing the car, because it's not hard water it won't leave water spots.

Apart from all the volcanic dust. Not to mention all the crap that gets washed off your roof with it.

Would that be all the crap that floats to the top of the water butt, or all the crap that settles out at the bottom?

[Tanguero]

Don't use water from a water butt to water greenhouse tomatoes. It will contain blight spores and given a Smith Period they will germinate and destroy your crop. The chlorination in tap water kills the spores so even if outside tomatoes are blighted, any greenhouse ones should be ok if they have been watered with tap water.

[FlossyThePig]

If you want to be really serious have a Google for "rain water harvesting"

[dickymint]

Chris993C4 said:

dickymint said:

parapaul said:

In a vain effort to be sensible, I've heard that rainwater is supposed to be much better for rinsing after washing the car, because it's not hard water it won't leave water spots.

Apart from all the volcanic dust. Not to mention all the crap that gets washed off your roof with it.

Would that be all the crap that floats to the top of the water butt, or all the crap that settles out at the bottom?

So how do you get the "clean" water from the middle?

If anybody wants to wash their pride and joy with a Brillo pad then crack on.

[Tiggsy]

dickymint said:

So how do you get the "clean" water from the middle?

If anybody wants to wash their pride and joy with a Brillo pad then crack on.

A tap in the side of the thing? Just maybe.

[Chris993C4]

Tiggsy said:

dickymint said:

So how do you get the "clean" water from the middle?

If anybody wants to wash their pride and joy with a Brillo pad then crack on.

A tap in the side of the thing? Just maybe.

I only use rain water for the final rinse, using a dedicated watering can.

Bear in mind that the water here in the Chilterns is so hard, the only effective way to remove dried deposits is with cutting/polishing compound or neat vinegar...