Gardeners near Sandbach are using a new rain water system to keep their plants and allotments hydrated – thanks to water giant, United Utilities.  

A network of industrial grade giant water butts has been gifted to Haslington Parish Allotments - a small community allotment site on private land set up and run by a committee of volunteers. 

They have been provided and fitted by United Utilities as part of a pilot programme to develop rainwater harvesting schemes at allotments and community gardens across the North West to reduce potable water use. 

The local gardeners worked with multi-award-winning garden designer, Leon Davis to come up with the solution, having previously designed and constructed Gold Medal and Best in Show gardens at RHS Tatton. 

The network of industrial grade giant water butts are part of a pilot programme. (Photo: United Utilities)

The bank of eight IBCs (intermediate bulk containers) has been installed at the site at the back of Yoxall Village Hall to maximise rainwater storage and reuse on site and to reduce reliance on mains water. 

Education boards have also been included to raise awareness of the water cycle and the importance of water efficiency. 

Gardener, Bev Moon and secretary at Haslington Parish Allotment Society, whose Facebook page is here said: "Our original four IBCs have been relocated, fixed on a level surface and now have a steel roof and gutter system. 

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"These eight new IBCs from United Utilities will increase our capacity to collect and reuse rainwater from 4,000 litres to 12,000 litres. 

"A pumping system has also been included to move collected rainwater round the site." 

Emma Birch, Area Engagement Manager said: "Leon has been working with United Utilities to promote the need to make the North West more resilient to the extremes of weather brought on by climate change for a number of years. 

"As well as designing and constructing a gold medal award-winning rainwater garden at RHS Tatton, he has created rain gardens at Manchester art gallery and a community rain garden in Moss Side." 

Leon said, "Collaborative projects in the heart of communities like Haslington are a great example of how we can all work together to save water and take responsibility for better rivers in our own areas." 

The United Utilities website has information about water butts in a page devoted to 'saving water in the garden'. 

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