Sizing a water butt

[RobinClay]

We are having the roof "re-done". and altering the guttering layout so as capture rainwater.

One challenge I have is to know what size water butts to get !

I wonder if anyone knows of a “Guidance Sheet” ?

Basically, I guess, I need some correlation between post code (to indicate likely rainfall), usage & roof area, to give a “recommended” tank size.

Or is it simply a case of “the bigger the better”?

As I see it, too small and you run out; too big and the water gets stagnant, etc. and it’s more expensive (and obtrusive) than needed.

I live in North Dorset. Our roof discharge is in three parts, 12.5 sq.m. and 2 x 50 sq.m, and we use rainwater just for watering pots and the greenhouse (yes, our present butt is too small!).

 

[noseall]

You will never have a water but big enough in this country.

 

[rjm2k]

probably better in the garden section

Whatever size you get, if you use it frequently then in dry periods you will run out pretty quickly. Water in buts doesn't tend to get stagnent, if it does, you aren't using it which means you don't need it.

You could start with 1 and add another if needed later.
I have 2 buts left by the previous house owner, I changed the taps to ones that accept hose connections and joined the output of both using a T piece to a single hose nossle, this means that though only 1 is connected to the gutter, both fill to the same level.

 

[big-all]

if its to save the planet water butts a fantastic
if its to save money then it can take many many years with 1000L costing around £2 it could take 10 or 20 years to get your money back

if you have a tank and an overflow soak away taking all your roof and surface water you can reclaim the surface water part off your water bill
http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/consumerissues/surfacewaterdrainage/prs_web_swdrebates

 

[RobinClay]

probably better in the garden section

That's where it was meant to go ! I dunno how it managed to end up here !

Sorry.

 

[RobinClay]

You will never have a water but big enough in this country.

It's lucky, then, that some people like a big... Oooppss !

 

[RobinClay]

if it does, you aren't using it which means you don't need it.

... but by then it's too late, you've already got it; which is what I want to avoid.

.. start with 1 and add another if needed later.

but my roof is in three "catchments", so I need three butts.

joined the output of both using a T piece to a single hose nossle

That's what I would like to do behind the garage. It has always struck me as strange that makers put two bosses at the top, but only one at the bottom of the butt; with two, you could simply daisy-chain a whole row, just using pipe, without having to mess around with T-pieces, etc..

 

[RobinClay]

...it could take 10 or 20 years to get your money back

Indeed.

if you have a tank and an overflow soak away taking all your roof and surface water you can reclaim the surface water part off your water bill

I know - but only if ALL is caught. My house is on the road, so all the rain from the front of the house discharges straight onto the highway (yes, my front door does too, no footpath !) They ought to allow 50% rebate for 50% catch. So from that PoV, there is absolutely no incentive for me to catch any !

 

[RobinClay]

Thanks, guys, for taking the trouble to respond. But the question remains unanswered