Consideration can also be given to placing tanks above
or below the ground surface.
Check the building codes and plumbing regulations applying to your local area. There are special requirements in relation to proximity to septic tanks, Health and environmental concerns depth of excavation, and engineering design applying to underground or semi-submerged rainwater and relating to water tanks stormwater recovery tanks. Toowoomba Regional Council supports rainwater harvesting. However, Council does not suggest that tank water replace an available town water supply for drinking Benefits of a rainwater tank purposes because there is no guarantee that every resident • Provides you with free water installs, cleans and maintains rainwater tanks correctly to ensure safe drinking water. • Rainwater is not subject to Toowoomba Regional Council’s water restrictions, however filling or topping up your tank Consideration also needs to be given to health and with town water may constitute an offence environmental issues relating to water tank usage. • It supplements the town water supply • Un-disinfected tank water may contain micro organisms that may cause illness • It reduces your own town water use which means you can • Microbial contamination from bird faeces for example, save on your water bills can pollute your tank water • You can connect your rainwater tank to an outside tap, • Contaminants from roof materials in particular, lead, toilet cistern and washing machine as a means of saving urban traffic, industry and garden activities may pollute town water your tank water • You can water your garden and wash your car in low • Physical contamination can result from domestic rainfall periods and during water restrictions chimney ash, dust, traffic pollutants, leaves and debris • It can add real estate value to your home which collect in a tank without safeguards • It provides a supply of water that has not been • Inferior quality water pumps can be a noise nuisance Rainfall in Queensland is chemically treated • Unscreened water tanks can breed mosquitoes • If you have a swimming pool, you can top it up using highly variable. • Rainwater is normally lower in minerals and pH and your rainwater some reports suggest that continued drinking of • Rainwater is soft water and lathers easily, saving on rainwater is not safe for child health soap and detergent We must find ways of reducing • Rainwater stored in smaller new concrete tanks can be • Rainwater tanks provide an emergency water supply e.g. town water use and reducing alkaline which is not suitable for plants such as Azaleas and Camellias for fire fighting our costs. • It reduces and slows stormwater runoff from your roof • For underground tanks in particular, there is a risk of contamination from surface run-off if the access • Reduces flooding by providing temporary storage for rainwater One way of doing this is by point is not sealed or is not set sufficiently high above ground level. • It contributes to a sustainable community and helps installing a water tank. postpone the need for new town water supply infrastructure What to consider when choosing a tank • You may be eligible for a Council rebate if you install a Planning new rainwater tank on your existing dwelling and have it connected to an internal toilet. Check with Council’s • The intended use of rainwater Waterwise office for details • Volume of water needed for these purposes • The amount of space available for the tank • Best roof section for catching the water
The most common materials chosen Want to know more?
• Polyethylene • Concrete Phone Toowoomba Regional Council’s • Steel WaterWise office on 07 4688 6253 • Fibreglass or your Local TRC Service Centre PP - 296 11592 Tanks made of any of these materials are suitable TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL providing they are of food grade standard complying with www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au AS 2070 or AS/NZ 4020. There are many varied designs available to suit your particular needs. Published by Toowoomba Regional Council 6/2008 Tank water safeguards roof gutter screens 3at least every 3-6 months To prevent leaf litter and other debris from blocking rain heads screens and collecting in the tank it is recommended that gutters: Inspect and clean making sure that they are These must be installed on your down pipes just below the gutter guards be used. free from leaf materials and other debris. If large amounts gutter. Self cleaning types are highly recommended. are found, then inspection and cleaning should be done noise control more frequently, especially after heavy rainstorms. Gutters first flush diverter must be graded evenly to downpipes. Low spots where To avoid water pump noise you can install a tank raised water accumulates not only deteriorate gutters but also Diverts the first 20-30 litres of water coming from your on a stand to allow a gravity feed delivery system but a roof, taking pollutants and debris away with it. contaminates the water. water pump is usually necessary. To minimize noise ensure the pump is designed with a minimum sound power rating roof: Check and clear away accumulated debris filters and is housed and sited to minimize environmental noise including leaf and other plant materials. Overhanging Filters can provide additional protection against micro- impact. Submersible bore pump pressure systems are branches should be pruned back. TV antennas attract organisms and chemicals. There are various types of filters very quiet and can be used for tanks. This may eliminate birds and therefore should not be above the roof area that can protect against different contaminants. Filters the need for pump housing. that contributes water to your tank due to bird faeces should be replaced regularly. contamination. overflow disinfection Tank overflow pipes should be vermin proof and discharge tank Inlets, mosquito/insect proofing and leaf If you intend using rainwater for drinking, it should in accordance with Council requirements. filters: Check, clean and repair if necessary. be disinfected. Boiling is the most traditional form. Ultra Violet (UV) under-bench disinfection systems are drain valve tank and tank roof: Check structural soundness of becoming popular. However, organic matter can coat the A tank should have a drain valve for cleaning purposes tank including the roof and access cover. Holes and gaps UV light and affect its operation. Laboratory testing of or some other method of cleaning the tank floor. This should be repaired. tank water is available for a fee. Contact TRC Laboratory discharge must be in accordance with Council requirements. Services, Mt Kynoch, ph. 4688 6270. pipework: Check for structural soundness. Make sure that drains are not blocked. extraction point backflow prevention device The extraction point should be above the tank floor to internal inspection: Check for evidence of access Where rainwater is connected to the same ensure that water is of good quality. The bottom water by animals, birds or insects including the presence of household plumbing that is used for town zone is where particles settle and is anaerobic and often mosquito larvae. Find and close points of access. Also water supply, an approved backflow contains more micro-organisms. check for evidence of algal growth. Find and close all prevention device must be installed. This is to prevent accidental flow of points of light entry. roofing materials untreated rainwater into the town water reticulation system. Most modern roofing materials are safe for rainwater First flush devices, rain heads and filters: collection but check on your roofing finish. For example, Check and clean and repair or replace if required. First mosquito and insect screens some paints, particularly those on older houses, can flush devices need to be cleaned regularly to function well. Screens are required to contain lead which may leach into the tank water. pump and pressure unit: Keep pumps clean and be fitted to all inlets and ventilated. Protect from weather and corrosion. A good outlets. The screen gauze quality pump should give many years of trouble free must be a diameter not Maintenance and cleaning service. Insist on a quality pump unit and pressure unit. coarser than 1mm Cheap units will be costly and disappointing in the long aperture mesh. Cleaning and maintenance of your tank is important. The following maintenance and cleaning schedule term. checklist is suggested. 3every 2-3 years Inside of tank: Check for presence of accumulated sludge and clean out if necessary. Remember not to discharge dirty water into a stormwater drain or onto a road. Run the water onto your lawn. Small amounts of sludge can be buried in your garden. Large amounts should be taken to the Toowoomba Waste Management Centre. Alternatively, you can locate a professional tank cleaning company through the Yellow Pages. Certain tanks may have specific maintenance considerations. For example, it is important not to damage the protective internal polymer coating on certain tanks. Check with the manufacturer for your tank’s maintenance requirements.