Become water wise

By installing a rainwater tank and harvesting rainfall you can not only save money but you may qualify for a government rebate in the process.

Let’s look at the options. Rainwater tanks range in capacity from about 300 litres up to 50,000 litres … or more. The trick is to select the right one for you. First work out the average amount of water your household uses each year. As a rough guide a 4-person household will generally need about 300,000 litres for in and outdoor use.

Keep in mind that for every millimetre of rain that falls, you’ll be collecting about 1 litre per square metre of roof space (catchment area). Have a look at the Bureau of Meteorology website Bureau of Meteorology to determine the average rainfall in your area and you’ll get a rough idea of how much fresh water is tumbling down stormwater drains and out to sea – without being harvested!

For example, if your area receives an average annual rainfall of around 800mm, you can potentially collect 800 litres per square metre of roof space every year. If your tank is big enough you may never need to use mains water again.

Once you’ve selected your tank, installation can be fairly easy. You may decide to have tank water plumbed into the house to take care of flushing the toilet or grey-watering the laundry – this will need the help of an approved plumber.

OK so now you’re installed, do you qualify for a rebate? Authorities offer a range of incentives for households to collect and store their own water. Conditions vary from state to state so it’s best to speak to your local council about rebates that may be available in your area.

Happy harvesting!

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