They are water-saving wonders however plastic water butts have historically been eyesores to maintain hidden from view. Now, although, with conserving water extra essential than ever, designers have upped the ante with intelligent fashions that double as planters, ornaments and even fountains.

The market was ripe for a makeover as a result of “one of many limitations to having a water butt is that it’s received to be in your backyard, and we wish our gardens to look good, don’t we?” says Gin Tidridge, a product sustainability supervisor on the B&Q proprietor Kingfisher.

“One in every of our greatest sellers is a really slimline water butt,” she says. “It’s only 100 litres. It’s nonetheless a helpful quantity of water but it surely’s not too huge. After we’re one thing bigger, it’s good if it appears good.”

Many Britons underestimate their every day water utilization, with the common particular person utilizing 142 litres, in line with Water UK. The necessity to use it correctly was hammered dwelling final summer season when extended dry situations resulted in a drought being declared throughout vast swathes of England.

On the time, Sir James Bevan, the boss of the Setting Company, outlined the measures atypical folks needs to be taking in and open air to keep away from extreme droughts – a listing that included getting a water butt.

“Small issues make an enormous distinction,” he mentioned. “Take showers, not baths. Cram the dishwasher or washer and solely run it when it’s full. Flip off the faucet when brushing your enamel. Exterior the home, get a water butt: crops choose rainwater. Use a watering can, not a hose, and don’t water the grass.”

The message appears to be getting by, with 76% of the three,000 adults polled by Kingfisher stating that lowering the quantity of water they use is essential to them.

Some have taken motion, maybe spurred on by having a water meter fitted, with the primary change putting in a water-efficient rest room (31%), adopted by a water butt (26%) and becoming a low-flow showerhead (18%). Nonetheless, a 3rd (31%) had not taken any water-saving measures of their dwelling, in line with the survey.

Some gardeners, after all, should not fearful about aesthetics, and a 200-litre water container may be had on eBay for as little as £10. If you wish to spend extra, the choice obtainable from huge excessive road names resembling B&Q in addition to specialist gamers resembling Water Butts Direct is a world away from the inexperienced plastic tubs of previous.

There are slim space-saving fashions, in addition to containers that may be prettified as they incorporate a planter. Some are even formed like beehives or wood barrels.

“You may spend as a lot or as little as you need,” Tidridge says. “The essential factor is to ensure you get a superb setup. You might want to ensure you can get a watering can beneath the faucet, and the simplest manner to do this is to have a stand. We promote an terrible lot of water butt kits, which embody a stand and the diverter, which is the pipe and the plastic bit that attaches to your downpipe.” (B&Q sells a 100-litre butt with stand and diverter for £32.)

Water Butts Direct has fashions obtainable for beneath £25 in addition to high-spec ones costing a number of thousand kilos. The capability ranges from 50 litres to an enormous 1,300 litres. Eye-catching designs embody the 300-litre Helena amphora (£356) – which one reviewer says “is an excellent addition to any backyard, because it appears like an amphora however is plastic … and is so pleasing to the attention” – and the Madison rain barrel, a 185-litre water butt that doubles as a fountain (£271).

Given the nice and cozy climate has already arrived, it’s possible you’ll really feel you’ve got missed the boat for this yr however Tidridge – who has three water butts arrange in her backyard and has simply invested in a pump – says that’s not the case.

“In a great world, you’d have your water butt put in by the top of March, early April, so it’s virtually full, prepared for the season,” she says. “However, given the best way that our climate is altering, with scorching, dry durations and sudden heavy deluges, a water butt works rather well when it comes to making use of the rain when it does fall.”