Page 48 - ALG Issue 1 2022

West Midlands
Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Warwickshire
Water Station construction
Our allotment at Elizabeth Way Allotments in Coventry has never
had access to running water, and
we thought you may be interested in publishing the solution. We decided how we could improve the situation with the construction of our first water station. The water station is additional to plotholders’ own water collection systems, used for emergency and dry spells though the summer months.
Firstly, we would like to thank the Coventry City Council & CDA&G
for their help and support with this project. The construction, as you can see, is wonderful for the environment, completely stand alone, and can be constructed in any spare area on any allotment or, perhaps, smallholding. This, together with the perfect self- sustainable water supply “RAIN” it is cost effective and a wonderful addition to any allotment. This design is easy
to erect, with an approximate cost of £500-£1000, and can be erected by members with general handyman experience (we decided to install two strip concrete footings as our ground is unstable at certain times of the year). Once constructed, it comes with little maintenance and many years of free water.
The construction is simple. In the pictures, it shows no.4 IBC containers. Important: they must be “FOOD GRADE” containers to avoid any
poison’s being previously stored in
the tanks that may affect the produce grown. Each are able to hold 1000
litres each (4000 litres when all four containers are full). We hope they are fully used throughout the summer months and expect them never to be filled to their full potential except during the winter months, which would create a great start to the growing season.
As you can see, they are fed from
a sloping Perspex roof area from a standard gutter system. The water containers are mounted on “High Density” concrete blocks, giving years of solid support. Avoid timber pallets as they degrade over time and are generally treated and may be classed as toxic waste. Each container when full would weigh approximately one
ton – this could become dangerous over time and may collapse, hence
a solid secure concrete block base.
It must be on solid ground and on a sound base. The base construction should be lifted to the required height using three concrete blocks to allow for ease of water extraction. Hose union bib taps have been fitted to each unit, and each container has been fitted with a small section of garden hose with the use of a jubilee clip, to cut down
on the waste of water when in use. Each container is connected by the use of a standard plastic waste pipe and fitting, all available from local plumbing merchants, B&Q and Screwfix. To start
This design is easy to erect, with an approx. cost of £500-£1000, and can be erected by members with general handyman experience
the timber construction from ground level, we have used standard Drive-in Post Anchors (again available) prior to starting main framework.
It may be advisable to obtain black covers for the tanks to help with discolouration in water over time, if funds run to it. Every six months each tank may require sterilising tablets
to purify the water (all available from Amazon for a small amount).
As rainwater enters the first container, make sure that the hole put in the top of the tank to receive the water is a tight fit and sealed to avoid mosquitos and larvae at a later date. Always keep the top inspection lid in place to help avoid this problem.
David Butterfield otter349@gmail.com
48 Allotment and Leisure Gardener