Water Butts in every garden by 2010

South Norfolk leads the way!

That's the message of South Norfolk Councillor Keith Weeks.

In the latest edition of the council's Link magazine, the council urges residents across the district to make more use of water butts.

As well as outlining the advantages, it gives details of an Anglian Water scheme where a householder could receive an annual reduction of £32, while protecting the environment.

Councillor Weeks, chairman of the Environmental Health and Recycling Overview sub committee said:

"One could be excused for thinking that Minister for the Environment, Phil Woolas, has been reading our magazine.

"Speaking to a meeting of drainage industry representatives, Mr Woolas said the impact of increased development and climate change demanded a shift in thinking. The Minister said he wants water butts and patios with permeable surfaces to be standard features of gardens by 2010.

"He said a few simple measures could mean not only that rainwater was stored and utilised more effectively, but the potential for heavy rainfall to cause surface water flooding could be reduced."

Councillor Weeks said this is one of the areas the new South Norfolk administration, together with officers, had been giving great attention to and it was gratifying to see that once again the council was thinking ahead.

He said:

"We are all too aware of the devastating consequences of flooding and anything to reduce that risk is to be welcomed."

Web links

• Anglian Water

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