25/05/2011

Water Butts, a good investment as Hose Pipe ban looms!

Waterwise estimate that up to 85,000 litres of water can fall on a domestic house roof each year. Investing in a Water Butt or tank to collect this free resource is not only a means of reducing the use and cost of mains water for garden and car washing use, it is also valuable insurance against the very real prospect of Hose Pipe bans in certain parts of the country, later this year.

The recent prolonged period of dry weather has got consumers, farmers and industry concerned as we move into summer. However these shortages may no longer be an occasional occurrence with experts pointing towards a growing trend.

Indeed Environment Minister, Lord Henley has warned that this Spring’s intense dry spell is a sign of things to come. It follows a drought summit called by Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman on Monday with water companies, farming groups and environmental organisations to make sure the country is prepared for the possibility of drought conditions following the long dry spell.

The recent dry spell which saw just 24 per cent of the average rainfall for April is likely to become a more frequent occurrence in the future due to the impacts of climate change.  The East of England is the driest region of the UK, which last month saw just 5mm of rainfall – 11 per cent of the monthly average. The South East has also been badly effected and the Horticultural Trades Association has asked that alternatives be found to ‘Hose Pipe’ bans which have a disproportionate effect on the sector.

Paxton manufacture a range of quality Water Tanks and butts from 240 litre to 10000 litre capacities suitable for the domestic, agricultural, horticultural and industrial markets. For further details visit Paxtontanks.com or call 01225 816500.