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How to Maintain Your Water Butt
Did you know it is important to properly maintain your rainwater capture device, not just for longevity but for health reasons? Find out how and why in our easy to follow guide. This includes water butts and rain planters of all shapes and sizes!
- rainwater
- maintenance
- legionella
- water butt
- rainwater harvesting
Why is important to maintain your device?
Longevity
Proper maintenance will likely increase the longevity and functionality of your rainwater capture system as well as help to combat the issues listed below.
Reduce the risk of Legionella
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium. People become infected when they inhale aerosols from a contaminated source (GOV).
The bacterium Legionella pneumophila and related bacteria are common in natural water sources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs, but usually in low numbers. They may also be found in purpose-built water systems such as water butts and rain planters ( GOV).
Reduce pests like Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes breed in standing water like water butts and a build-up of leaves in the gutters provides a habitat for them (Public Health England).
How to Maintain your Water Capture Device
Clean Gutters
Clear leaves from the gutter (particularly in autumn). This will help prevent blockages that would be harder to resolve once the debris gets into your down pipe. This also reduces the risk of being exposed to the Legionella bacterium as the leaves provides organic material and nutrients to the bacterium.
Empty & Clean
It is good practice to empty the water butt occasionally, allowing you to clean the interior. This helps reduce the build up of grime and algae, particularly during the summer months. These efforts will increase the quality of the water for your garden usage and reduce the risk of legionella if the water is not constantly static.
Use a Watering Can
Aerosols can be created from pumping water or using a fine spray setting on the hose which increases the risk of Legionella transmission. We recommend using a coarser setting on the hose or collecting the water in a watering can for usage to help reduce Legionella transmission risk.
Sealing
Sealing any holes in the downpipe with Caulk will allow an adequate supply of water to collect in your rainwater harvester. Additionally, sealing the lid correctly on your water butt will reduce the likelihood of mosquitoes breeding and laying their larvae in the water, which can be a real nuisance. Public Health England
Preventative Measures
Trying to prevent these issues from arising is a great method tackling them. Here is some advice depending on the season.
In the hotter months it may be best to position your water butt in a shadier part of the garden. This is due to bacteria growing well in warmer conditions which is more likely in direct sunlight.
Conversely, in winter months, the water in the butt might freeze which will cause it to expand and increase the risk of the water butt cracking. This can be mitigated raising the water butt on a platform as the ground is much colder, and by draining the water regularly to ensure flow.
Reactive Measures
We would always recommend taking preventative measures with regards to your rainwater capture device. If, however, you encounter some issues down the line here are some steps you can take to try and resolve the issue.
Drain the system
If the water is standing for too long, it can lead to bacterial and/or moss and debris build up which can cause clogging and pose risks to your health and reduce the functionality of your system. Therefore, it is crucial that if you're not using the water butt regularly to drain it instead
If using a slow-release or 'leaky' system, it is important to start by draining the tank to where the slow-release pipe enters. You can use a pipe cleaner or a thin object like a drinking straw to gently remove any debris from the slow-release pipe. This might help to clear any minor blockages. You may need to unclog the tap if it is also blocked for it to drain.
Disconnection
If the slow-release pipe still won't drain, it could be beneficial to pull the hose out of the grommet and disconnecting from the downpipe if possible, to give it a good wash and clean. Cleaning with warm soapy water should ensure that the connections are secure and not obstructed by any debris.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is intended as a general guideline for maintaining rainwater harvesting systems. While we strive to offer accurate and helpful advice, maintenance should be carried out at your own discretion. We do not assume responsibility for any issues or damages that may arise from following the guidelines provided. It is essential that you assess your individual situation and take the necessary precautions to ensure safety and effectiveness.