Rainwater tanks
Our climate is becoming more unpredictable, and rainwater tanks are a great way to improve your property’s resilience with a sustainable source of water, even when water restrictions are in place.
Rainwater tanks help meet sustainable building requirements for new dwellings in NSW. They're also increasingly common for existing homes across the Lower Hunter to reduce your water bill, manage stormwater and help save precious drinking water.
Choosing a tank
Ask yourself these questions to help you pick the right rainwater tank:
- How often will I be using the rainwater held in my tank?
- How much rain does the area I live in typically receive?
- How much space do I have around my home for a tank?
- Will my tank require any structural support?
- What material will my tank be made from (usually steel or plastic)?
Installing and connecting a tank
It's important that rainwater tanks are correctly installed to meet regulations and be used efficiently.
- Before installing a tank, contact your local council to see if there are any requirements you must comply with for your property. Visit NSW Planning for advice on exempt and complying development.
- Have the tank installed by a plumber or the tank manufacturer. This will ensure the system operates efficiently and is easy to maintain.
- By law, a licensed plumber is required wherever a tank is connected to the mains water supply, such as a toilet system. A plumber is also required to connect your gutters to your tank and install an overflow to the stormwater system.
- If your tank is going to be large, you may need to consider if it will need structural support. This might require consulting from a builder or engineer.
Maintaining your tank
If you’ve got a tank in your garden or purchased a property with a tank, it’s important to regularly maintain the tank so it works efficiently for years to come.
- Install mosquito-proof mesh over gutters as well as any above-ground tanks. This will prevent bugs and animals from contaminating the water and will slow the accumulation of debris.
- Regularly check and maintain any mesh and coverings.
- Look out for dead animals.
- Check for signs of algae and mosquitoes.
- To decrease the build-up of rubbish, consider installing gutter guards or downpipe screens to prevent blockage and contamination.
- Clear debris from the roof and gutters often to prevent blockages to your tank.
- If you have a filter, make sure it is not blocked by debris.
- Make sure that the water switch, which allows you to access the drinking water supply once your water tank supply has diminished, is working correctly.
- Check the water quality of your rainwater, especially if you use your rainwater for showering and cooking purposes. To test your water quality, you can buy an at-home testing kit and look for water discolouration and sediment deposits within the tank.
- Make sure your pumps are properly functioning as they can affect water quality and efficient delivery of water.
- Clean your flow restrictor.
- Be sure to check for leaks in gutters, pipes, pumps and the storage tank, and repair any damages that are found.
- Be sure to check the tank foundations to make sure they are stable and even.
- Keep a lookout for ground leaks from pipes beneath the ground, such as stormwater systems.
- After 12 months, you should try to thoroughly flush downpipes and drainage pathways in order to decrease the build-up of debris. You may also want to hire a contractor to remove sediment within the storage basin every two to three years.