With the weather forecast predicting a mix of rainy and sunny days, NI Water is encouraging everyone to roll up their sleeves and have some creative fun by making DIY raincatchers to help save water outdoors for when it matters most.
DIY raincatchers are a make it at home version of a waterbutt using just a milk bottle which you can then use to save water for your garden.
By taking part and sending the NI Water education team a photo of your raincatcher to education@niwater.com you could also be in with the chance of winning a big NI Water waterbutt to help you harvest even more rainwater for all your outdoor needs including gardening, washing windows and washing cars.
What you need:
- A empty plastic milk bottle – the bigger the better
- Scissors
- Garden string or cable ties
- Decorations – paint, stickers, waterproof pens
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Clean and dry your milk bottle and remove the label.
2. Carefully cut the base of the bottle. You might need to ask an adult for help.
3. Decorate you bottle using bright colours or why not add some water saving messages. Remember the bottle will be fixed in place with the lid pointing down, so make sure your decorations don’t end up upside down.
4. Find the perfect place on the garden fence to attach your mini waterbutt using garden string or cable ties. Ensure the cap is on and pointing downwards like the picture so it will catch the rain.
5. Once the rain has collected in your mini waterbutt place a watering can underneath and screw off the lid to let your watering can fill.
6. Send a photo of your mini waterbutt to education@niwater.com to be in with a chance of winning a NI Water waterbutt.
NI Water education officer Anna Killen said: “Designing your own DIY raincatcher is a fun and simple, sustainable water-saving solution. We all know plants need water to stay alive, but did you know plants actually prefer rain water than water from the tap to help them to grow and flourish. Raincatchers are like waterbutts – they are a great way for collecting rain water to water the garden and as we usually get plenty of rain here in Northern Ireland they are a great way to catch water to use on drier days. Making your own mini waterbutt is a simple way to collect rain water, save water and keep our flowers and gardens blooming. What’s more, we’ve got one big NI Water waterbutt up for grabs for the most creative raincatcher so we hope to see all your photos coming in to education@niwater.com soon.”
For more information on saving water visit https://www.niwater.com/how-to-save-water
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Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com
