Reschio keeps rain in lakes across the estate
Reschio is a thousand-year-old castle surrounded by 1,500 hectares of Umbrian woodland and meadow. Several lakes across the estate collect rain for use around the property.
When Antonio Bolza bought Reschio in 1994, he got an Umbrian castle and about 50 farmhouses in ruins. His son Benedikt was studying architecture then. The family spent the next 25 years restoring the houses one by one, and eventually opened the castle as a 36-room hotel.
Several lakes around Reschio catch and store rain for use across the estate. The land also produces olive oil, honey, eggs and sheep's cheese, while local craftspeople make much of its furniture.
A water butt at home
At home, you need a roof, a gutter and a covered water butt. Fit a diverter into the downpipe and it will send rain into the butt while the overflow carries on to the drain.
Rain is soft and low in minerals, so it suits most garden plants. Water from an ordinary butt belongs in the garden because roofs and gutters can add dirt, germs and chemicals. Drinking it safely takes proper testing and treatment. If tap water is your concern, find out what is in yours first. I explain that in the water area.
| What it catches | Roughly one litre for every millimetre of rain on every square metre of roof. A 40m² roof in 10mm of rain gives about 400 litres. |
|---|---|
| Size | A standard domestic butt holds about 200 to 250 litres. If you need more, you can link 2 smaller butts together. |
| Where it goes | Beside a downpipe, on firm, level ground. Raise it on a stand or blocks so a watering can fits under the tap. Choose shade where you can. |
| The connection | A diverter fitted into the downpipe sends rain in and lets the overflow carry on to the drain. |
| The lid | Use a close-fitting lid or screened inlet. It keeps out light, leaves and insects. Secure it if small children or animals can reach it. |
| Keeping it fresh | Keep it covered, clear leaves from the gutter and use the water regularly. Empty and clean the butt if the water begins to smell. |
| In winter | Leave some room for ice and draw the water down before a hard frost. |
| What it is for | Use water from an ordinary butt on established garden plants. Drinking water needs proper testing and treatment. |
The short answers
For choosing and looking after a water butt.
What is rainwater harvesting?
Rainwater harvesting means collecting rain and storing it until you need it. At home, this can be a water butt under a downpipe. At Reschio, several lakes collect rain for use across the estate.
How much rainwater can you collect from a roof?
As a rough guide, 1 mm of rain on 1 m² of roof gives 1 litre of water before any losses. A 40 m² roof in 10 mm of rain could collect close to 400 litres, more than a standard water butt can hold.
What size water butt do you need?
A standard domestic water butt holds about 200 to 250 litres. Choose the size by how much space you have and how much water your garden uses between showers. If 1 butt is too small, you can link 2 together.
Where should a water butt go?
Put it beside a downpipe, on a firm, level stand or blocks, with enough room for a watering can under the tap. Shade helps limit algae. A diverter sends rain into the butt and lets the overflow continue to the drain.
Does a water butt need a lid?
Yes. Use a close-fitting lid or screened inlet to keep out light, leaves and insects. Secure the lid if small children or animals can reach it.
Can you drink rainwater from a water butt?
Do not drink water from an ordinary water butt. Rain can pick up dirt, germs and chemicals from the air, roof and gutter. Drinking rainwater safely needs a suitable collection system, regular testing and treatment.
Is rainwater better for plants than tap water?
Rainwater is naturally soft and low in minerals, so it suits most plants. It is especially useful for acid-loving plants such as camellias and rhododendrons in hard-water areas.
How do you stop water in a butt going stagnant?
Keep the butt covered, clear leaves from the gutter and use the water regularly. A first-flush diverter can send the first, dirtiest run of rain away from the butt. Empty and clean the butt if the water smells.
What do you do with a water butt in winter?
Leave some empty space because water expands when it freezes. Before a hard frost, use or drain enough water to stop the butt being full.
What if the ground slopes?
A level ditch called a swale can slow rain and let it soak into sloping ground. Read how it works in the Tuscan garden that drinks only rain.
The property. Castello di Reschio is in Umbria, close to the Tuscan border. Its history and restoration are covered by Suitcase. The lakes, woodland and estate produce are described by Reschio.
The water butt. Setup and garden use follow the Royal Horticultural Society. Drinking-water safety and first-flush guidance come from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Reuse. Quote any part of this page with a link back to it. Educational purposes only, and not a substitute for medical advice.