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Get tanked and save a bundle
Rainwater tanks are an effective way to save water around the home.
Aside from the initial expense, using rainwater will not only keep water in our river, but leave dollars in your pocket.
They come in all shapes and sizes to suit the urban and suburban home.
Watering the garden and washing the car with rainwater makes sense and will significantly cut your consumption of mains water.
But, bigger savings can be made if you connect the tank to your toilet, washing machine or hot water system.
Of all the water in the world, only one percent is fresh water available for consumption. So it’s hard to justify what we waste irrigating our garden and flushing our toilet.
Using rainwater for these things would make much more sense.
The potential benefits of installing a rainwater tank are plentiful, and you don’t need to live in a wet tropical area to reap the rewards.
With a rainwater tank you’ll:
- Collect most of the rain (around 80 %) that falls on to the areas of your roof you have connected to gutters and downpipes.
- Reduce your consumption of mains water and, in the long term, cut your water bill.
- 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.
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What is a first-flush device?
It's a good idea to install appropriate screens and guards to stop debris and insects entering your tank.
Installing a first flush device is essential for reducing the amount of sediment and other materials entering the tank and polluting the water.
Screens and gutter guards offer further protection by stopping insects and debris entering the tank. |
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Did you know?
For every square metre of roof on your home, 1mm of rainfall will result in one litre of water collected in your tank.
This means, the average 110sqm three bedroom home fitted with a rainwater tank, will collect 1100 litres of water during a 10mm rain event.
This water can be used for toilet flushing, in the laundry, watering the garden or washing the car.
If you plan to connect your home to rainwater, it is advisable you make contact with local council for the necessary requirements.
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What is BASIX?
Today, all new homes built in New South Wales must meet new BASIX building regulations to ensure more sustainable residential development.
The development must achieve a 40 percent reduction in town water usage and 25 percent energy reduction.
The installation of a 9000 litre rainwater tank can provide water for all non-potable water use supplied to your home, and all outdoor use, saving up to 60 percent on your water bills.
The award-winning Hastings Energy Efficient and WaterWise Display House at 7 St Vincents Way, Bonny Hills is an excellent example of how to build a home meeting the BASIX requirements. It has been constructed with a range of energy and water saving devices and designs.
The home is open to the public for inspection.
For more information about BASIX go to: www.basix.nsw.gov.au
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