Selfsufficientish.com

There's an unused irregular rectangular space at the side of our conservatory, some 7'6" or more deep and 20" wide, narrowing to 15" just by the downpipe. It is bounded by wooden fence panels and concrete post on the left, the house at the back and the conservatory on the right with the downpipe distant from the house (as one would expect!).

The conservatory downpipe is the only in situ water collection point at the back of the house (the downpipe for the house roof gutter is on the neighbour's land) and even though it only collects rainwater from the conservatory, that is potentially quite a considerable volume that could be stored, and largely in shade.

There is no possibility to have a water butt anywhere else in that area as the conservatory faces a retaining wall. Nor to move the downpipe to the other side of the conservatory. I don't have the competence/confidence to block the downpipe and take the water out through a hole at the other side of the conservatory. Neither do I really want water butts on the other side of the conservatory as it is the patio and used for growing in containers.

Any ideas for water butt(s) for that narrow space between conservatory and fence? It would be such a shame not to make use of at least some of the water that currently just goes to ground, there being no drain at the foot of the downpipe.

I've got an old plastic kitchen bin acting as a butt... it must measure about...12" x 20" and about 3ft deep, I haven't but you can get taps to put on any appropriate container, sit that on a few bricks and Robert is your mother's brother

CAT do a wheelie bin -> water butt conversion kit. Would a small one fit your space?

I'd like a narrow butt too, but that's a whole different thing

You can buy slimline water butts, just try googling them and I'm sure you'll find one but you could try asking around your local pubs or restaurents for large containers.

Some time ago Muddypause did make a homemade water butt. Sadly the pictures no longer work but the description is here http://www.selfsufficientish.com/forum/ ... php?t=1645

Cheers
Zoe

Thank you for all the advice and pointers.