Everyone can do their bit to keep our rivers healthy, just by gardening in a slightly different way
In this section we'll explain how you can make a storm water planter and give some top tips on creating a rain garden at home.
As climate changes we are seeing more cloudburst type rainfall, with heavy deluges that overwhelm our drainage network, causing local flooding. These are often followed by long dry periods, so its important that we look for ways to slow the flow of stormwater, catch what we need to water our gardens and create space for water to soak into the ground slowly instead of rushing off down drains to either the river or the sewage treatment works. This is known as Sustainable Drainage or SuDS. If you'd like to find out more about the benefits of rain gardens click here.
The first and simplest thing to do is install a water butt. The average roof collects enough rainfall to fill 300 water butts with rain every year. Many water companies and councils offer water butts at a discount or even free, so check offers in your area.
To create a rain garden there are a few basic rules to follow and there are many very good publications on how to create a rain garden. We have created a catalogue on the Kennet Catchment Partnership website.
