South East Water offers discounted water butts with a chance to win this winter

South East Water is encouraging customers to make the most of any wet weather we get this winter, by collecting the rain water for future use - and now there’s even more reason to get started.

The company, which supplies drinking water to customers in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, is offering discounted water butts for a limited time, along with the chance to win one of 30 in its winter competition.

Customers can purchase a 100-litre water butt for just £17.49, significantly cheaper than most other retailers. Larger sizes are also available, including a 200-litre water butt for £25.99 and a 227-litre for £29.99. With only 1,300 available at these prices, customers are encouraged to act quickly.

Following the driest spring in England since 1893, and the hottest summer on record, this year has been exceptionally warm and dry, with record-high demand for water and a significant lack of rainfall. With some rain around, now is the perfect time to capture it in a water butt and put it to good use when spring and summer roll around again.

Collecting winter rainfall helps to reduce reliance on tap water during the warmer months. Rain water is ideal for watering plants as it is full of nutrients, it can also be used to wash cars, fill ponds and clean garden furniture. Just one average water butt can fill a watering can around 25 times. For customers who already have one, multiple can be daisy-chained to increase storage capacity.

South East Water is suggesting even more ways to make the most of the rain. Customers can become weather watchers by checking forecasts to see when their gardens will be naturally watered, they can raise plant pots to improve drainage and prevent water-logging and they can rake (scarify) and aerate (pierce holes) lawns to help air, rain and nutrients reach the roots.

Michelle Marvell, South East Water’s Water Efficiency Manager, said: “By installing a water butt in the winter to capture and reuse rainwater in the garden during the drier months, we can all help to conserve water and protect the environment.

“Making small, simple changes to our everyday routines can make a big difference not just to how much water is used but also the cost of household bills too.”

Saving water also means saving energy and money. By using rainwater instead of turning on the tap, customers reduce the amount of treated water that needs to be pumped, heated and supplied to their home.

As customers start to prepare for winter, now is a good time to think about simple steps that can make a difference such as lagging pipes, fixing leaks and being mindful of how much water and energy is used every day.

Small changes can make a big difference, visit the website to find easy ways to prepare the home for winter and save on bills: southeastwater.co.uk/winter(opens in a new tab)

Customers can purchase discounted water butts on the website: southeastwater.co.uk/special-offer(opens in a new tab)

To enter the monthly competition to win one of five water butts, customers can visit the website: southeastwater.co.uk/competition(opens in a new tab)