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The 60 hosepipe ban loophole shoppers are using to save their gardens amid drought

A hosepipe ban is currently in force for millions of UK households

[Stock image of man pruning flowers in sunny garden - stock photo]

A hosepipe ban is currently in force for millions of UK households(Image: Getty)

As hosepipe bans come into force across parts of the UK, many gardeners are looking for ways to keep their plants alive without falling foul of the restrictions. One popular solution is installing a water butt, allowing households to collect and store rainwater that can then be used on parched plants during dry spells.

Amazon now has the 210 Litre Large Black Water Butt for 58.99, with more than 400 sold in the past month. This water butt is designed to capture and store rainwater, providing a ready supply for watering plants, cleaning outdoor furniture or even washing the car.

Its generous capacity means there's plenty of space available whenever rainfall returns. The kit comes complete with everything needed to get started, including a tap, downpipe filler kit, raised stand and lockable lid, making installation straightforward.

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The included stand raises the barrel to make filling watering cans easier, while the secure lid helps keep debris out. Measuring approximately 97cm high by 57cm wide and deep, the water butt offers a practical way to reduce household water usage and lower water bills by making use of naturally collected rainwater instead of treated tap water.

As well as helping conserve water during periods of drought, rainwater is often considered beneficial for plants because it is free from the chemicals commonly found in treated mains water. This makes a water butt a practical addition for keen gardeners. While it might not be much use for this hosepipe ban until it's had a chance to collect some rainwater, it should set gardeners up for any that might come along in future.

The 210 Litre Large Black Water Butt is available from Amazon

[The 210 Litre Large Black Water Butt]

58.99

Amazon

Buy here

Product Description

The water butt can collect up to 210 litres of water at a time.

For gardeners short on space, B&Q has a mini rainsaver 100 litre grey water butt double kit available for 111.99. This one comes with two kits - each of which includes a tap, a stand, a rain diverter kit and a lid and is said to be made from strong and durable materials.

And a budget-friendly option is the Strata Water Butt with Connection Kit, Tap and Stand - 100L for 35 from Argos. Said to provide a practical water collection system for outdoor use, this one includes a tap, stand and downpipe connection for easy installation.

[The 210 Litre Large Black Water Butt]

The water butt has gained a 4.5 out of 5 star rating.(Image: Amazon)

The 210 Litre Large Black Water Butt has a high 4.5 out of 5 star rating from over 500 reviews on Amazon. One person said: Good item. Easy to fit and does the job well.

Another person said: Fantastic! Installation is easy, and I have started using rainwater for free of charge. A third shopper wrote: Excellent service, arrived within 18 hours of placing the order. Well-made, strong enough for the job. Complete with fittings. Ideal for the job.

[The 210 Litre Large Black Water Butt]

It holds up to 210 litres of water.(Image: Amazon)

Some people removed a star, with one saying: Good item, swift delivery, but the finish and fitting of the lids was not ideal. Great customer service when dealing with this. Another added: Nothing wrong with the product, but probably cheaper at local DIY shops with exactly the same make.

The 210 Litre Large Black Water Butt is available from Amazon.

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