Rainwater Tanks & Pumps in Canberra and Surrounds
Rainwater tanks can reduce water bills, provide water even if the mains supply is interrupted, and reduce the risk of local flooding by reducing the amount of water suddenly entering the storm water system (and, notwithstanding their dry climates, Canberra and nearby towns and farms can suffer from floods, as you may know from news or personal experience). Rainwater tanks can also allow you to use water for purposes that you may not be permitted to use mains water for during droughts. Climatrol can supply and install rainwater tanks, pumps and associated equipment.
Thinking About Tank Size and Type
The size of tank that will be suitable for you will depend on average rainfall in your locality, the area of your roof, what you plan to use the water for (watering an entire garden uses vastly more water than flushing a toilet), and how much space you have for a tank.
If space for the tank is the limiting factor, you may wish to consider a slimline, underground or bladder tank. A slimline tank is shown to the left (if you are on a computer) or below (if you are on a phone). Bladder tanks are designed to fit under a house or deck and are unrelated to urine! If you have an underground rainwater tank and your rainwater is interconnected with mains water, the Plumbing Code of Australia requires that you have a testable backflow prevention device fitted to your mains water supply, and the device must be tested annually. This is a service Climatrol can perform.
Pumps and Switches
In order to maintain a good water pressure, your rainwater tank will ordinarily need an electric water pump (the cost of the electricity for this should be much more than offset by the savings on your mains water bills). The maximum distance and height the water is to be pumped, relative to the tank, will affect the capacity of pump you will need (if your tank, and the area you are collecting water from, are higher than 15 metres above your water outlets you will not need a pump!) If you spend the extra money to get a submersible pump it can be installed inside the tank, which is quieter and saves space. With basic models of pump, the pump needs to be turned off after use. To avoid this, you can get a pressure switch installed, or get a pump that has its own pressure switch.
If you get a rainwater to mains cutover switch installed (such as a Davey RainBank or an Onga WaterSwitch), then when the rainwater tank has run dry your water source will seamless swap to mains water.
Water Quality
If you plan to use the rainwater indoors, then before having a rainwater tank installed, fit a leaf screen to your gutters or install debris-shedding gutters, make sure your gutters are clean, and prevent trees from overhanging your roof. You may also wish to get first flush diverters installed (and definitely do so if you plan to drink the water). These divert (away from the tank) the water that initially falls on a roof and which may contain dust and bird poo that accumulated since it last rained.
If you intend to use rainwater for a washing machine it would be advisable to have a filtration system installed (by Climatrol, for example!) to avoid the possibility of any discolouration to your clothes from the water. Similarly, filtration is a must if you are going to be using the water for washing or drinking. The filters on the filtration system would need to be changed on an annual basis. The tank itself should also be regularly maintained.
If you plan to use the rainwater for drinking, then do not collect from any area of a roof that incorporates exposed lead paint, lead flashing or asbestos sheeting (and if your roof is unsealed asbestos don’t collect rainwater at all). Also do not drink your rainwater if you live somewhere where nearby activities, such as crop-dusting, contaminate the air.
