Why you should install a rainwater tank
- More than enough water falls on most average size house roofs each year to supply all household water needs
- Because it reduces the storm water running into the ocean with the pollutants it collects along the way
- Many councils around Australia will require that you do it as part of any new building or substantial renovation
- The water you collect can safely be used for anything from garden watering, toilet flushing, clothes washing to showering, kitchen and drinking
- The less mains water you (and everyone else) uses the less energy is spent building and operating new dams/water desalination plants
Tank size
- Your tank size will depend on how much water you use and how much you can collect
- How much water you can collect will be determined by your roof area and the average annual rainfall of the area in which you live
- How much you use will depend on how many services you decide to connect to your rainwater tank and your usage patterns. You can gain a basic understanding of your water consumption from your quarterly water bills.
- Both of the books below provide charts to help you calculate tank sizes. Stratco provide an online tank sizing tool.
Maintaining water quality
A number of products are available that passively assist in maintaining the quality of the water in your tanks:
- TankVac by Water4life
- Water Nymph
- Smartflo gutters
- Tank inlet filter bag
Rebates
Rebates are generally subject to tank size and the number of services connected. In most states rebates are not available where tank installation is part of a major renovation (eg subject to council requirement/approval).
- National: National Rainwater and Grey water initiative provides up to $500. Independent of state based grants.
- ACT: Up to $1000 subject to tank size and requires at least one internal service connected
- NSW: Up to $1500 subject to tank size and number of services connected.
- NT: Up to $1900 subject to tank size, number of services, installation of new guttering.
- QLD: No state based rebates available. See National above.
- SA: Up to $1000 subject to tank s
- TAS: No state based rebates available. See National above.
- VIC: Up to $1000 subject to tank size and number of services connected
- WA: No state based rebates available. See National above
Where to buy
Useful websites
