Water butts... got one?

[specialmagiclady]

How long does it take to fill up?

we can't have one draining from our roof (enormous) because we're a flat and don't own the land where the downpipe lands.

We're planning to put guttering round our shed (only 7' x 3') and collecting rainfall from that.

But will I be able to fill a whole entire waterbutt? I live in Bristol so we do get lots of rain....

Average annual rainfall for Bristol is 847.7 mm or 0.8477 metres.

The surface area of your shed roof is 1.951 square metres.

Total average volume of water falling on your shed roof is 0.8477 x 1.951 = 1.654 cubic metres.

Annual avg total water volume collected = 1.654 x 1000 = 1654 litres

Average monthly volume = 1654/12 = 138 litres

A water butt usually contains 50 litres.

On average you should expect to see a water butt refilled about twice per month if you allow for a little wastage through evaporation.

Yesss.... I knew someone would be able to do the maths! Thanks. So actually getting 200L of water butt capacity is not unrealistic as my DH says.

Thanks x

If you are going to use some of the water during every month I think a 100 litre butt might do it. I must say a 200 litre butt is very big for the capacity of the shed roof area you have said you have. However, a 200 litre butt will do no harm if that is all you can get.

Our water butt filled up in one rainy day - but we have had a lot of rain lately

But it was attached to our drainpipe.