Water Butts Aid River Protection Efforts

A campaign group reports that numerous recently installed water butts have prevented thousands of liters of rainwater from exacerbating sewage overflows. Save Water to Save the Trym (SWST) has been placing these rainwater storage containers in residences situated close to combined sewer systems. SWST states that these systems are prone to becoming overloaded during heavy rainfall, leading to leaks into rivers. A spokesperson for SWST commented, “People like the idea because rainwater is natural and better for your garden, but when you tell them that it helps protect the river it only motivates them more.” SWST has installed 120 water butts throughout Bristol, accumulating and holding as much as 30,000 litres of rainwater. The campaigners are now urging additional residents to adopt these installations. Data provided by the Rivers Trust indicates that the Trym experienced hundreds of spills in 2023, which subsequently flowed into other waterways in Bristol. Peter Coleman-Smith, a committee member at SWST, stated, “By targeting areas with combined sewage systems, you can have a greater and more cost-effective impact on the problem as a whole.” The campaigners now express hope that their efforts will motivate water companies to implement the scheme. Mr Coleman-Smith added, “As a volunteer group we’ve about reached our capacity and we hope this can be taken on at scale.” Wessex Water confirmed its communication with SWST, stating that it is “pleased to support the positive work they are doing by awarding a grant from our Environment Fund”. A Wessex Water spokesperson further commented, “We fully support the use of water butts and other rainwater management solutions, such as rain gardens, rain planters and soakaways.” Readers can follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and submit story ideas via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites and provides information on its approach to external linking.