SeasonalCollection

Our seasonal range spans from small 200-litre water butts for patio and greenhouse use up to 5,000-litre-plus above-ground tanks for allotments, polytunnels or livestock troughs. For garden irrigation, most domestic customers find 1,000–2,500 litres strikes a good balance between capacity and footprint. If you're unsure, work out your roof catchment area and average summer rainfall to size correctly rather than guessing.

Polyethylene tanks in this range are UV-stabilised and can stay outdoors year-round, but any tank holding water in freezing conditions is at risk of ice expansion damage if filled to the brim. We recommend draining down to below 80% capacity before a hard frost, or fitting a simple insulation jacket for tanks that must stay full, such as those feeding an irrigation system.

Generally no — free-standing above-ground tanks used for non-potable water like garden irrigation or livestock don't require planning permission or building regs approval, as they're classed as temporary or moveable structures. If you're plumbing collected rainwater back into an outdoor tap system near the house, it's still worth keeping the supply clearly separate and labelled as non-potable.

A level, compacted surface such as paving slabs, compacted MOT type 1, or a concrete pad is ideal, even for a tank you intend to move seasonally. Avoid setting a full tank directly on grass or soft ground, as uneven settling can stress the base and cause splitting. If the tank will be taken down each autumn, mark out and prepare the base once so it's ready to reinstate next spring without redoing groundworks.

Yes, rainwater harvested from a clean roof catchment is widely used for watering vegetable and fruit crops, provided it's applied to soil rather than directly onto edible leaves close to harvest. Fit a simple leaf filter or first-flush diverter on the inlet to keep debris and bird droppings out of the tank. This water is non-potable and shouldn't be used for drinking or washing produce meant to be eaten raw without further rinsing.

Demand for seasonal tanks rises sharply from late winter through spring, so ordering in January or February secures the widest choice of sizes and avoids the peak-season lead time creep. Larger above-ground tanks and bunded units are made to order in some sizes, so check current lead times at checkout. If you need a tank plumbed in and ready before a specific date, build in a buffer for delivery and installation.