United Utilities helping gardens bloom with rainwater planters for Prestwich

As some much-needed rain has arrived United Utilities is offering residents in Prestwich the opportunity to apply for a free rainwater planter.

The attractive planters are made in the North West and will be installed for customers onto a downflow pipe on their property. As well as capturing rainwater that can be used to water the garden in summer, the planters also help reduce surface water flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

They feature a small area at the top which can be planted up and they are provided with four different low maintenance plants which have been selected for their ability to retain water.

Katy Bevan from United Utilities Rainwater Management team explained: “The planters are dual-purpose and designed to help gardeners during both dry and wet spells.

“They act like a mini-water butt and hold 30 litres of water in a tank which can be used year-round for watering the garden or rinsing muddy boots. Once that tank is full, they continue to collect a further 160 litres of water which is held until it can be slowly released back into sewers when the heavy rain has passed.”

A typical house roof gathers around 30,000 litres of rainwater every year – that’s equivalent to 300 bathtubs of water. In many areas, this water goes straight down the drain and mixes with the foul water from properties.

In times of heavy rainfall this puts extra pressure on the sewer network which make it necessary for storm overflows to operate.

Katy Bevan added: “The planters will help slow the flow of rainwater into the sewer network. By providing and installing them free of charge, we expect to see a reduction in the number of times that storm overflows operate in Prestwich.

“During drier times such as this year, the planters are a great way for customers to play their part in protecting water resources by using rainwater – which is free – to water the plants in their gardens.”

During the last two years United Utilities has already donated more than 1,600 water butts and smart water butt of varying sizes to customers, community groups, schools and allotments to help them become more water efficient and reduce the risk of surface water flooding. Together these ‘slow the flow’ and divert more than three million litres of water away from the sewer system.

Customers in Prestwich interested in applying for a rainwater planter can apply online at United Utilities – Prestwich Planter. Those who have a planter installed will be entered into a prize draw to win a permeable drive for their home. Applications close on 27 June, 2025.