The Ripple Effect: Rainwater Tank Tips, Types & Rebates

Rainwater Tanks - Saving Water and Money

On the driest continent on earth it makes sense to save every drop of water possible, especially in light of recent water use restrictions.

It just makes no sense to waste a perfectly good source of high quality water. A rain water tank can be a wonderful help for your household in dry and drought conditions... or indeed at any time. Clean, fresh drinking water, or supplemental water for your garden or other household needs.

If you are building a new house, in a lot of areas it is now compulsory for domestic rain water tanks to be installed. Rural rainwater tanks are, of course, almost essential for any country property.

Rain water tanks are the optimal way in Australian conditions to harvest rain water and store it for meaningful use.

Rain water tanks can be bought in a large variety of pre-made styles and sizes, or some companies offer made to order tanks.

Slimline rainwater tanks

These have the advantage of being available in a variety of sleek shape contours and sizes, so that they can fit into small cramped spaces. Perfect if you have little or no backyard, or if a slimline tank would just be the best option for the space you wish to install it.

Modular rain water tank

With similar advantage to slimline models, these come in different sizes, with varying numbers of modules to suit any size space or rainwater needs.

Water Wall

Narrow, tall wall like rain water tank constructions. Useful for long spaces, with not much depth.

Inground Rainwater Tanks

Installed under ground these tanks are ideal for limited space. They can be placed underneath a driveway or pathway, still allowing for traffic-able use of this area. These tanks can be small, just for short term use, or can also be quite large, if you wish, enabling you to use them as rain water storage tanks.

Rain Water Bladders

New flexible rainwater storage systems that can be placed under decks or floors making it much more discrete than traditional water tanks. Yard space is also not taken up by this system.

The bladders are made from puncture resistant PVC material. They can store large amounts of water out of sight under your house or deck, as they are able to capture rainfall from most of the roofed area of your house, rather than just one or two collection points like a traditional rain tank.

You may install as many bladders as you wish, or have room for. For ease of installation they can also be rolled or folded to fit through small access points.

Rainwater tanks can be made of several different materials:

Poly/Plastic rain water tanks
Light and strong, with a wide variety of sizes and shapes.

Fibreglass rainwater tanks
Also light and reinforced for strength. Many shapes and sizes available.

Concrete rain water tanks
Concrete tanks come in two types - either delivered complete, or poured on site.

Galvanized Steel rain water tanks
These days, most metal tanks are lined with a special liner material. These polyethylene linings prevent corrosion and ensure water quality.

Other points to consider are rain water tank pumps, to pump the water to your house, or other areas, the technicalities of plumbing your rainwater tank both on the collection and use sides, and rain water tank filters to ensure your water is free of debris and impurities.

You should also ensure that leaf gutter guards are fitted to your gutters, and potential mosquito larvae infestation of your rain water tank is considered.

Recycled Grey Water Tanks

There are even tanks which can hold and make use of shower and dish washing water etc. Revolutionary greywater treatment systems can enable you to treat your greywater and store it for as long as you like and then recycle it in the garden, use it to flush toilets and even re-use the water in the washing machine.

In most areas rainwater tank cost can be offset by government rainwater tank rebates, so check with your state government.

Information on RAINWATER TANK REBATE SCHEMES
across Australia:

QUEENSLAND
Brisbane & All QLD: http://www.nrw.qld.gov.au/water/saverscheme/index.html

Beaudesert Shire: http://www.bsc.qld.gov.au/council_information/Waterwise/Waterrebates.asp

Brisbane City Council: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BRISWATER::pc=PC_1460

Gold Coast City Council: http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_gcw.asp?PID=3992

Ipswich City Council: http://www.ipswichwater.com.au/environment/rebate/latest_news.php

Logan City Council: http://www.logan.qld.gov.au/LCC/residents/water/051209WaterSavingIncentives.htm

Pine Rivers Shire: http://www.prsc.qld.gov.au/c/prsc?a=da&did=1162798&pid=1128140783

Redcliffe City Council: http://www.redcliffe.qld.gov.au/water4.htm#Redcliffe%20Water%20rebates

NEW SOUTH WALES
Sydney: http://www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/InYourGarden/RainwaterTanks/index.cfm

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Canberra: http://www.thinkwater.act.gov.au/tune-ups_rebates/rainwater_tank_rebate.shtml

VICTORIA
Melbourne & All VIC: http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/ourwater/dsenowof.nsf/

Northwest VIC: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrenfa.nsf/LinkView/

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Adelaide & All SA:http://www.sawater.com.au/SAWater/YourHome/SaveWaterInYourGarden/Rainwater+Tanks.htm

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Perth & All WA: http://water.wa.gov.au/portal/page/portal/WiseWaterUse/WaterwiseRebates/