Free water butts to residents- Details of how to apply

Council giveaway could save over 300,000 litres of water a year

Maidstone Borough Council is expanding its rainwater harvesting giveaway scheme, offering around 1,000 free water butts to residents across the area to help capture and reuse rainwater. When added to the 555 water butts given out earlier this year, the project has the potential to save 315,000 litres of water a year – enough to fill 7,000 bathtubs!

The initiative is aimed at reducing reliance on mains water during dry periods while helping to slow the effects of surface water flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

The expanded scheme follows the success of a pilot launched last year, which saw over 500 water butts distributed to Maidstone households. After these were snapped up by residents the council has extended its partnership with Wickes Maidstone to provide the additional units free of charge for residents on a first come first served basis.

For households impacted by flooding or facing increasing pressure on water supplies during extended dry spells and hosepipe bans, water butts can provide a simple but effective solution. By collecting rainwater from roofs and guttering, they help maintain gardens and green spaces without using treated drinking water, while also reducing the volume of rainwater entering drains during storms.

Cllr Rachel Rodwell, Maidstone Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Nature and Climate Transition, said: "We are increasingly seeing the impact of water scarcity across our borough, with reports of taps running dry becoming more common. This is no longer a distant issue - it is affecting our day-to-day lives.

"That's why making better use of natural resources such as rainwater has never been more important. This scheme gives residents a simple and practical way to take action, helping to keep gardens healthy during dry periods while also reducing pressure on the water supply.

"When lots of households take small steps like this, the benefits add up. Water butts can help reduce flood risk during heavy rainfall, conserve water during droughts and support our wider work to make Maidstone more resilient to a changing climate."

In the first giveaway 555 water butts were given away and this time there are 974 available.

Gary Kibble, Chief Marketing and Digital Officer at Wickes, added: "Our partnership with Maidstone Borough Council demonstrates how businesses and local authorities can work together to support climate adaptation in practical ways.

"We are proud to be expanding this project through our Maidstone store and helping residents manage both drought and flooding risks while making better use of water resources."

Each water butt is manufactured in the UK and has a capacity of 210 litres. They are supplied with a stand and filler kit for easy connection to existing guttering. Residents must be able to provide proof of a Maidstone address to take part. Collection will be from Wickes Maidstone, St Peter's Street, ME16 0SN, and installation is not included.

Before applying, residents are encouraged to check they have suitable outdoor space for a 210-litre water butt and access to guttering from a house, shed or outbuilding.

Alongside the scheme, Maidstone Borough Council is introducing rainwater harvesting measures across its own buildings and sites. The Council is also exploring further opportunities to reduce demand on treated drinking water supplies by identifying alternative non-potable water sources where appropriate, reducing the need to draw on mains water supplies.

Residents can apply for a water butt by completing a short online application form. Those unable to complete the form online can email [email protected] or call 01622 602000.