It's good to get into the habit of using your stored water regularly so your water butt can be replenished with freshly collected rainwater. Water that is left in a water butt can stagnate over time.
Also:
- Keep gutters clean – debris such as bird droppings, moss and leaves can be washed into butts and rot, creating bad smells.
- A tight-fitting lid is essential to prevent debris falling in. Check or replace the lid if it doesn’t seal properly – a loose or broken lid can attract bugs and cause bacteria to grow.
- If the water smells, it is still safe to use on established plants but use a watering can instead of a spray hose to minimise the risk of inhaling any airborne bacteria.
The Cubus 1000 litre Garden Water Tank - browse here.
- Remember good hand hygiene when using collected water.
- Sunlight and heat speed up stagnation, leading to the growth of bacteria, so choose a shaded area for your water butt. If you find the water butt is getting hot, give it a deep clean and move to a cooler position.
- If you use hoses for any source of water, disconnect them when you are not using them so that the water will drain out; bacteria grows in water that is left to warm up in the sun.
- If multiple water butts are used, rotate the use of each one to keep stores of water fresh. They can be joined together by a water butt connector kit.
- It’s easier to access the water if the butt has a tap at the base and sits on a stand so a watering can will stand on the ground under the tap.
How to clean your water butt
The best time to clean your water butt is in autumn when you don’t need the water.
- Open the tap and let any stored water drain out completely.
- Lay the butt on its side and empty out any sludge or debris.
- Clean the outside with a hose and brush.
- Clean the inside with gardening detergent and a long-handled brush.
- Add freshener if required and let the butt refill.
The Garantia 2-in-1 Water Tank (350 litre) in Silver - browse here.
Ways to keep water fresh
- Emptying and cleaning the water butt and gutters is the best way to keep water clean.
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Be Green Water Butt Freshener (500ml) is a non-toxic treatment that helps to keep your stored water free from algae, scum and smells. It is highly concentrated so a small amount diluted with water goes a long way.
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Fresha Tank Disc is a tablet made from industrial silver that purifies water by eliminating fungal, viral, bacterial microorganisms and parasites.
