Quality and Safety of Rainwater Tank

Rainwater that is captured and stored correctly is a safe, economical and sustainable source of quality water. Rainwater is as safe as any source of water, provided certain safety precautions are taken as part of water capture, storage and distribution. In fact some say that rainwater is safer than water supplied through mains or reticulated water systems. Our mains water is typically stored in dams, treated with chemicals such as chlorine to kill of bacteria and make it safe, and then pumped through a network of pipes throughout the community. Rainwater tank is the most safe storage for treatment of this water.

COUNCIL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Many Local Councils, State Health Departments and Industry Associations have either have developed, or are in the process of developing guidelines for use of rainwater harvesting systems. These guidelines have been developed to help optimise water quality. Key aspects of many of these guidelines are:


Incorporating Gutter Mesh Systems - to help ensure gutters do not become blocked with leaves and debris; to prevent mosquito breeding habitats


Fitting Rain Heads at gutter downpipes - to separate leaves and debris from the flow of water; to keep mosquitoes out of pipe systems to the tank (especially in "wet" systems)

Preventing the First Flush of rainwater from entering the tank - to reduce the amount of roof pollutants

Insect proofing all tank openings (inlets and overflow outlets) - to prevent mosquitoes breeding

Regular Tank Maintenance of the tank, catchment system, roof and gutters, inlets to ensure a safe supply of water. Desludging may be required every 2-3 years, and whilst regular disinfection should not be necessary, can be undertaken if preferred. See more products on rainwater tank Australia..

Ways to Install Rainwater Tanks

Rainwater tanks are an eco-friendly device used to store rain water runoff collected by the gutters on your roof. During a half-inch rainfall, a 50-gallon rain water tank can fill up. This water is safe for outdoor uses such as watering gardens and lawns, washing tools or keeping compost bins moist. Storing rain water reduces your domestic water bill and city's water demands and also helps the environment by conserving water. Rain water tanks are available for purchase at your local garden center; alternatively, you can modify a plastic drum to serve as a rainwater tank system.

Instructions:
1. Clean the rain water tank with a mixture of 1/8 cup bleach and 5 gallons water.
2. Drill a 15/16-inch hole near the bottom of the rain water tank for the drain hole, and insert a 3/4-inch spigot. Make sure the hole is far enough off the ground to attach a garden hose or fill watering cans.
3. Lay a secure cinder block foundation underneath the downspout next to your house. Layer blocks in a crisscross pattern if more than one layer is needed for added support.
4. Place the rain water tank on top of the foundation.
5. Cut the downspout with a fine-toothed hacksaw, leaving enough length to allow the downspout to reach the top of the rain water tank.
6. Attach one end of the flexible downspout extender to the downspout previously cut and the other end to the opening on the top of the rain water tank. If the tank does not have a hole in the top, drill a hole large enough to insert the downspout extender.

Water Conservation for your Home

Do you still use clean, drinking water to water your garden and wash your car? I can’t face the thought of using clean water for these things so have been checking out various options to see which make the most sense for my house. I’ve found a wide range of options suiting all pockets and requirements. Read on for a quick summary.

Bells and whistles rainwater collection tank

The most elaborate and most expensive setup involves connecting all your rooftop gutters to one single point to feed a large tank, normally about 5000lt. It often involves a pump connected to an irrigation system, and is most suitable for large gardens that require a lot of water. I find these large tanks quite an eyesore, but you can always bury them, or wrap with chicken mesh and grow some creepers around it.  You could also install automated float systems that  top your tank up with municipal water when needed.

Gutter collection system

If option 1 is a little extreme for you, the simplest thing is to place a small tank at the base of one gutter, preferably one that discharges the largest volume of water. An easy way to test which gutter collects the most rainwater  is to put similar size containers under each gutter when it’s raining and see which one fills up first. The nice thing about this is that the “tank” can be anything, from a wheelie bin to an old geyser. Rain water being piped directly into the pool

Tankstar rainwater collection tank

The most elaborate and most expensive setup involves connecting all your rooftop gutters to one single point to feed a large tank. It often involves a pump connected to an irrigation system, and is most suitable for large gardens that require a lot of water. I find these large tanks quite an eyesore, but you can always bury them, or wrap with chicken mesh and grow some creepers around it.  You could also install automated float systems that  top your tank up with municipal water when needed.

Pumping through rainwater outlet

The final feasible option I’ve found is to collect water at your house’s storm water outlet and pump this into a tank from there. This option is the most unusual of the lot but quite innovative. You have a much larger surface area to collect water from than just your roof but then of course potential for contamination is higher. Unlike the other two options, this one might be a little more difficult to install and maintain, but you manage to collect a lot more water. Obviously filters are available, and recommended if you are collecting from a particularly dirty collection area, or if you are watering plants you plan on eating.

Household water reusing

There are many ways to reuse the water you use in your kitchen and bathroom – this water is known as grey water. You can install a grey water system which collects household water in a tank and pumps it into your garden. A simpler, less expensive way is to keep a bucket in the shower to catch the water while you wait for it to heat up – you can use this water in your garden, or to flush the toilet. Keep a tub in the sink to catch water used for washing vegetables to water your pot plants. Use a bucket to scoop out your bathwater and use it in the garden.

I urge you to considerer creating at least a small rain water collection system at your house. Using clean drinking water to water your grass, wash your car and fill your pool is a little silly I think, and a habit we should all try break. Need I even mention how much coal based electricity is going in to treating and distributing this water?  Rainwater is clean and free, use it!

For more ideas on how to make savings at home try using rainwater tanks of tankstar. For water savings at work, try the tankstar raiwater products and services.