Water Storage Area

Simple, yet ingenious and virtually cost free

This water storage area on a Bristol allotment is merely a roof over four rainwater barrels. It has been made almost entirely from reclaimed materials and needs very little space, about 3m x 1.2m. Each of the four containers has a capacity of over 200 litres, thats almost 1000 litres reduced consumption from the mains supply.

The only material needed to be purchased was a couple of metres of felt as a run-off for the roof. Rainwater drains into a gutter at the back which runs into the right-hand barrel. All are linked so as one fills to the top it simply overflows into the next.

Most notably, one of the issues currently banned on Bristol allotments is that a hose CANNOT be connected to any of these barrels. If only allotment officers were to concede and allow us to connect a hose to these reserves it would quite possibly encourage more plot holders to save rainwater and reduce mains consumption even further and lower council water bills which is reflected in our allotment rents.

What's more frustrating of this council prohibition is that this water storage area is at the head of a slight gradient. With a hose connection crops could be watered whilst the plot holder is busy doing other jobs which saves time and makes his allotment more efficient. Or more possibly, if connected to a low pressure timer the plot could even be watered in his absence. Either way, is there really any potential of anyone inhaling water droplets which could be inhaled?

Allotment holders lead busy lives, work and famillies etc are all part of the equation in running a successful plot which are no longer the domain of old men. We need to move forward and consider the environment in a calculated way.  

Come on officers, let's have an educated discussion about this, please?