For many, particularly in the South, record levels of rainfall in April have been an ironic follow-on to the hosepipe ban.
It has led some people to question why the hosepipe ban is still in place. The answer is that one month of heavy downpours cannot make-up for the water deficit caused by two very dry winters; we still have a long way to go. However, as has been pointed out, if more of us chose to harvest the rain – using water in a more sustainable way all year round, rather than allow it simply to drain away – then we might not have had a ban in the first place. Nor, indeed, some of the localised flooding which has accompanied the cloud bursts.
The message that we need to make greater use of rainwater is certainly one that gardeners are embracing – witness the fact that water butts are selling fast, and that demand for water butts is exceeding supply in some areas.
But what is good for the garden is not necessarily an easy option for the gardener!
Carrying a watering can backwards and forwards is physically very demanding; when full, a 10 litre watering can weighs 10kg, or 1.5 stone. And of course the weight is carried to one-side – the unevenness adding to the strain they create. Perhaps that is one reason why, when records of accidents were last recorded back in 2002, watering cans accounted for 718 incidents (source: RoSPA).
The other issue, of course, is the time it takes using a watering can to water the garden – not ideal for those who have to juggle multiple demands in addition to their garden.
For all these reasons, the latest product advance in rainwater storage is expected to come as welcome news – a rainwater harvesting tank that now connects to a hosepipe.
The Rainstore, from Kingspan Water, the UK’s leading manufacturer of rainwater harvesting systems, has an integral pump and hosepipe connection.
The largest of the Rainstore range – the 1000 litre tank – holds the equivalent of 100 watering cans. This would be a lot of watering cans to carry (the equivalent of a tonne in weight!) however the hosepipe makes it easy,
Rainstore will also be welcomed by those who need a bigger butt – those who currently link multiple water butts together to collect enough water for their plot. The tanks come in 700 and 1000 litre sizes – the 1000 litre size is the equivalent of five standard water butts, which is more than enough for most gardens.
“Carrying heavy watering cans can be difficult, irksome and slow so this should be a major advance for many – particularly in the east and central areas of the country – who want to water their gardens, and wash their cars or patios this summer,” says Adrian Gatford, national sales manager for Kingspan Water.
He continues: “As the effects of global warming continue to manifest themselves, the water crisis is expected to deepen. Drought is now interspersed with a trend for short, sharp bursts of rain that overwhelm our Victorian sewers, as well as causing soil erosion and flooding, but the downpours do little to fill our resevoirs. Reducing our reliance on domestic treated water and making better use of rainwater are two of the most significant ways we can all adapt to changes invoked by rising global temperatures.”
Kingspan Water has been leading the way in rainwater harvesting systems for many years. Its Envireau system captures water from the roof and recycles it for widespread use within the home, including flushing WCs, and washing clothes, as well as of course for use irrigating the garden.
For more information, call 0800 0234 325, visit www.rainwaterharvestingshop.co.uk, or email info@rainwaterharvestingshop.co.uk