You're probably best to keep the butt-water just for the Azaleas etc and use tapwater for all other things (once it has re-filled). In the meantime, tapwater won't hurt them. Better that than no water at all.

The odd watering with tap water won't kill the plants, Bryony, so not really a problem, but if you're really anxious, used previously boiled and cooled water. That takes the lime out (and leaves it all over your kettle!)

I was going to say cooled water, as it gives the impurities time to take a hike lol

Cool tap water, unboiled, will have lime in it, Great - unless you live in Devon or the west country generally, where god forbid you use too much soap, you can never rinse it off again cos the water's so soft. And its the lime that's the problem for acid loving plants.

I meant boiled first Bamboo!!! i know about devon and soap lol done that a while back ha ha ha Soft water heaven, absolute heaven! I miss it

Oh, I hate it, takes so long to get any soap off...

Great for the skin though

Thanks, I will use cooled water, and I suppose if I use ericaceous feed then some effects of any lime (impeding nutrient absorption) might be counteracted.

I miss soft water, it makes your hair so shiny! Hate hard water, appliances are always breaking because they are clogged up with deposits.