Severn Trent encouraging Shropshire customers to get a free water butt

Overall, the company is hoping to install more than 4,700 slow-drain water butts to customers in the county, part of over 8,000 it’s looking to offer across its operational area. 

The company is focusing on locations – such as Shrewsbury and Broseley – which have previously suffered from surface water drainage issues, caused when more rain falls than can soak away or exceeds the capacity of local sewers. 

Matt Lewis from Severn Trent’s Spills Reduction Programme, said: “One result of climate change is that we’re seeing more periods of heavy rain – as we’ve experienced recently and may well see again as we move through the autumn and winter. People are also favouring more hard surfaces at home, like tarmac driveways and brick patios, which look great but can prevent water from soaking away into the ground. 

“Having a water butt installed is a really simple step that people can take towards helping to prevent excess surface water entering the sewer system and causing overflow spills or flooding issues – and in the worst cases can lead to damage to peoples’ homes and the wider environment.

“While we’re initially offering one water butt, anyone with space who would like to take more than one would be very welcome, and customers can make the installation themselves if they would prefer.”

River health enhancement is a key issue for Severn Trent, which committed in May to spend £450 million to install new interventions at an initial 900 sites before the end of the year, and will be expanding it across its full operational area. These range from upgrading pipes and valves, to installing nature-based solutions such as reed beds and creating new stormwater storage tanks, with more than 100 already installed at sites across Derbyshire. 

This programme is part of Severn Trent's work in Shropshire, with other projects including £11m of improvements to waste treatment at Stratford-upon-Avon which will help to improve the health of the River Avon. 

While this summer has been a bit of a washout with rain falling all across the region, having a water butt installed will mean its ready to use to help keep the garden green when the warmer weather returns. 

Matt continued: “A brilliant additional benefit is that water butts provide a fantastic source of water for the garden in the warmer weather without the need to resort to a hosepipe or sprinkler, which can use up to 1,000 litres of treated water every hour. 

“This can have a positive impact on customers’ water bills and can help to make sure that there’s plenty of treated water available for everyone who needs it, if we see another scorching hot summer next year.” 

Anyone who lives in any of the following postcodes can check their eligibility using the Severn Trent postcode checker and apply for the scheme at stwater.co.uk, searching for water butts checker:

SY1 1, SY1 2,  SY3 5,  SY3 8, SY8 2, SY8 3, SY8 4, TF8 7, TF10 7, TF10 8, TF12 5.

Anyone who doesn't live in the catchment but would still like to get a water butt can find them at garden centres, on the internet, or at a discount via Get Water Fit.

For water saving tips and advice, visit stwater.co.uk and search for Saving Water Made Simple.