Decentralised Water: The Role of Water Butts in Sustainable Developments

Water scarcity is an increasing concern worldwide, even in regions that experience regular rainfall. As urban populations grow and climate change leads to more unpredictable weather patterns, the need to manage water resources efficiently has never been greater. One key strategy for reducing reliance on centralized water supplies is decentralized water management—a concept that shifts water collection, storage, and use to a local level. Among the simplest and most effective tools for achieving this are water butts, which capture and store rainwater for later use.