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..

Rainwater Harvesting for a Sustainable Home

At Septic Tank Supplies we have vast experience working toward the code of sustainable homes with rainwater harvesting for inside and outside applications.In order to achieve 5 credits in the code for what the code calls “Wat 1” , then rainwater recycling will be required in practice. Even for lower code levels, a rainwater recycling system used for flushing WCs etc can be specified in order to allow higher flow rates on taps etc, which might otherwise have to be reduced in order to satisfy the code and so this can be a means of balancing your preferences against increased capital cost and maintenance requirements of the code.

At Septic Tank Supplies we understand that water is a big environmental issue – droughts, reservoirs and rivers at low levels and hose pipe bans. So in a nutshell the aim of the code when it comes to water is to reduce the consumption of potable mains water in the home, and of course water recycling systems are a great way to achieve this. Rainwater tank will surely help you in conserving water. Just like a certain underground rainwater tank can supply water for cleaning the toilet or flushing the toilet.

Important Purpose of Having Rainwater Tank

Rainwater is free and this means you can have your tank connected to your outdoor taps as well as hoses at no cost, as they will rely on natural systems for delivery. It helps you save on the amount that you spend on water since it relatively reduces your consumption of mains water. As a matter of fact, you can make bigger savings by connecting the tank to your washing machine, toilet or hot water system.

Rainwater has been found to be better for your garden than grey water. You are therefore encouraged to include a rainwater tank in your design if you are planning a new house. It is also recommended that you should use rain water on your garden as it is the best quality alternative to mains water. In addition, with rainwater tanks you will be able to sustain your garden even during periods of hot, dry weather.
You have a ready source of drinking water. It is also generally less salty and this makes it better for plants and appliances. However, if you live in an urban area, rainwater is not recommended for drinking as it may easily be contaminated by animals as well as through pollution. It is important that you take good care of your underground rainwater tank in order to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in it.

Rainwater tanks come in various designs and sizes and you will always find one that is suitable for your needs. However, you need to arrange for a suitable space for your tank at the planning stage. Also, be sure to invest in a bigger tank to avoid running out of water during the dry season.

By reducing the amount of storm water runoff into oceans and rivers, a rainwater tank lowers the impact that takes place on the environment. By owning such a tank, you therefore make a positive contribution towards the environment.

Clearly, there are various benefits of owning rainwater tanks and you do not have to live in a tropical or wet area in order to reap such benefits. In short, they are worth investing in.

Rainwater Tanks: The Best Friend of Gardeners

Everyone loves a lush green garden but unfortunately the Australian climate is not exactly suited to this type of garden. We have plenty of sunshine but most of us are lacking water. Consequently most cities are facing water restrictions and limited to the days we can water. Unless you have drought tolerant plants then your garden will go thirsty. Here's one way to have your green garden without using more than your share. Using rainwater tanks is the perfect way for you to create the garden of your dreams and keep it green all year round. The most important part of the operation is to have enough rainwater tanks and the right types of systems to suit your needs and your gardens. Slimline tanks are great for small blocks because you put them out of the way and grow plants around them to hide them. Some tanks can even be used as wall panels or fencing. If you can't afford a big tank, use a modular tank so you can start with one and join on another one next year. Slimline tanks are typically round or elliptical, and can look a bit unsightly in your backyard however some new tanks are rectangular and flat so that fit together and look just like a normal wall or fence

Using underground rainwater tank for your gardens is also a great idea because you don't have to do anything to the water before you use it for your plants and vegetables. In fact, some research shows the water even healthier than watering them out of your own water supply, depending on where your local water comes from. Water from the tap is treated with chemicals to make sure there is no harmful bacteria, strange colours or smells. The water is then delivered through underground pipes which can be over 50 years old! Compare that to rainwater which falls directly from the sky.

Rainwater Tank System: Useful Tips in Harvesting Rainwaters

Rainwater harvesting simply collects the rain which fall onto roofs, then stores it in a tank until required for use. When required, the water is then pumped to the point of use or to a secondary tank (header tank or break tank), thus displacing what would otherwise be a demand for mains-water. In the process, a volume of water is kept out of the storm-water management system, thereby helping to reduce flooding risks. Rainwater harvesting is not a new concept; however, over the last century its use has diminished with the availability of a clean, inexpensive and reliable water source through the mains supply.

More recently, water demand has started to exceed supply, and localised flooding has become an issue. Industry experts are now recognising the important role that rainwater harvesting (also known as rainwater recycling, and greywater recycling) has to play in alleviating both these problems. With strategic water planners looking to reduce the amount of water consumption per head going forward. Solutions such as rainwater harvesting will play a critical role. Rainwater is captured from the roof(s), and brought to a central point, via normal guttering and down-pipes, to enter a storage tank (frequently underground), where it is filtered on entry. A highly efficient and reliable submersible pump delivers the water to a service on demand. Depending on the circumstances a secondary tank (header tank) can be used to gravity feed the water to the point of use.

The size of the storage tank is determined by considering the amount of water available for storage (a function of roof size and local average rainfall), and the amount of water likely to be used (a function of buildings occupancy and function). It is very important not to over-size the rainwater tank too much. An over-sized tank may result in a lower than expected quality of water.
Considerations for fitting a rainwater collection system to an existing property

• The external drainage from the roof needs to be modified to bring the water to a central point.
• Access for the tank and excavation is required.
• Internal plumbing is usually required to be separated out from the drinking (incl. bathing) water from the non-drinking water (WC, washing machine & outside tap.)

Get Benefited With Rainwater Tanks

In the past, rainwater tanks were a common feature of the Australian landscape, but they’ve almost disappeared from our cities now. The majority of Australian households get their water from a reticulated supply. In the 1990s, 16% of households used a rainwater tank and for 13% it was their main source of drinking water.

In recent years, however, the long-lasting drought in many parts of the country and widespread water restrictions have drawn attention to water conservation issues and put rainwater tanks right back onto urban agendas. Many local councils, water suppliers and state governments have been encouraging residents to install a rainwater tank, usually with the offer of a rebate.

The potential benefits of installing a rainwater tank are plentiful, and you don’t need to live in a wet or tropical area to reap them. South Australia, the country’s driest state, has the highest rate of rainwater tank usage. More than half the households there have one, and for more than a third it’s their main source of drinking water., With a rainwater tank products, you’ll:
1. Collect most of the rain (around 80%) that falls onto the areas of your roof you have connected to gutters and downpipes into your tank. For example, if 10 mm of rain falls on to 100 m2 of roof you’ll ‘harvest’ about 800 L of rainwater. That’s about as much as an average Sydney household of three would use in a day if they made no efforts to save water. If they did, they’d get their consumption down to around 500–600 L a day.

2. Reduce your consumption of mains water and, in the long term, cut your water bill. Your water supplier may be able to give you an indication of the savings you can expect.

3. Lower your impact on the environment by reducing your demand on mains water as well as the amount of stormwater runoff into rivers and oceans.

4. ‘Harvest’ water that tastes better and is generally less salty, which is better for appliances and plants.

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.