Water Tanks for All Seasons

Rainwater tanks are usually used and thought about in rural areas where there is no mains water or during dry periods when water restrictions apply. However, we should be thinking about rain water tanks being required for all seasons. The most recent example of this need was during the recent Queensland floods, when the only clean water people had was water stored in their rain water tank.

Rainwater tanks have become an essential component of household, commercial building and local school water supply systems. Rain water storage not only saves precious water that otherwise would go down into the storm water system, it provides clean water when it is needed.

To catch and store water in a rain water tank you need to ensure the right tank is chosen and make sure that the tank is installed correctly and that both the tank and the water quality are maintained. Catching and storing water in a rain water tank is often referred to as rain water harvesting.

To effectively catch and store water in a rain water tank the roof area of the house or commercial building must be plumbed to ensure that all water that falls on the roof is able to be harvested. This means that all the down pipes are connected to the tank. With some larger buildings or where there are multiple buildings often more than one tank will be required. When the tank is connected to the roof, leaves and other debris must be screened out so it is advisable to install a first flush diverter which will flush away dirt and other suspended materials which may otherwise go into the tank.

The placement and installation of your tank is important to ensure the rainwater tank is able to catch all the available water and is installed correctly. It is important that the tank is placed on a solid base such as a concrete slab or a flat bed of crushed dust or sand. When the tank is connected to the pump or pipe it is important that a flexible hose kit is used to allow for movement  of the ground or tank. For details see http://www.bushmantanks.com.au/web/page/bushmans_information#mainarea.

The maintenance of your tank is important and there is need to ensure the mosquito screens are installed correctly and that if there is a build up of dirt or debris in the tank it is cleaned out regularly.

Water from rainwater tanks is clean and has a number of benefits over mains or ground water. Rainwater is generally softer and allows for improved washing or lathering. There are no added chemicals which change the characteristics of the water and  when you water plants the  water is the same as if the water had just fallen from the sky.

Rain water tanks should be looked at for all seasons and conditions - whether there is  drought or  flood. Water from the rainwater  tank is the solution to continual water supply, whether it be for a household, farm, school or commercial building.