Water tanks

WATER TANK INSTALLATION: CONSIDERATIONS

Consider all aspects of safety of design, installation work and the final completed job.
For example here's one aspect, the weight of water: 1 litre water weighs 1kg; 5 litre bucket weighs 5kg; 120 litre wheelie bin weighs 120kg; 1000 litre tank weighs 1000 kg = 1 tonne.

Simple fittings can be attached to downpipes to direct water on to garden through hoses/flexible pipes; no storage needed.
If storage is your aim, calculate your roof area (L x W = sq. m). where L == length of roof and W = the horizontal width (this is near enough for calculations.
1 sq. m. roof area x 1 mm rain = 1 litre of water
Roof area x annual rainfall (mm/yr) = annual catchment for tank, (less any losses, say through tiles, overflow etc).

What is the possible interval between rainfalls? How much water and at what rate will you use it? Consult your water bills for your consumption rates.
Average consumption figures are given by some website and equipment (tank) suppliers but your water bill (compare say summer and winter usage) will give you approximate information on YOUR current usage.

Front or rear yard? Adjacent to collection point (roof or stormwater?) High end of property for gravity outflow? Out of sight? Near stormwater drain/pit? Distance from boundaries (see regulations below)
Will you use gravity feed (eg from spouting) or install a pump from a sump? Don't forget you can use a 'wet leg" of piping provided the pipe outlet to the tank inlet, is lower than the entry into the pipe, say under the guttering.

Will you use a flat area with a solid base, or a tank stand? Area might be paved, or have a 75-100mm base of sand or crushed rock, be 300-500mm greater than tank base, surround border with an edging of sleepers, pavers or bricks to retain the base.

Inlet: Tank Inlet filter? Inlet cover? Other filters First flush device? Flexible/swing arm inlet for bladder tank?
Outlet: Gate valve or Ball valve? Filters for mosquito protection? Water level gauges?

Where will overflow go? Stormwater drain or do you want to catch it in buckets, crates or bins? Will you need a pump?

Monash Council requires no permit for tanks up to 4500 litres, (or is it ALL tanks?) except for Heritage Overlay area. Tanks must be set back from another building on the site by 900mm if there is a chance of blocking ventilation eg to under floor vents or AJ flexible joints, and from side or rear boundary by 500mm and to a height not exceeding 2.5 m at that distance, otherwise 1m away. Prefer it not be installed within 7.6m frontage setback, or the 2 m. side street setback.
Do your own check with Council!

Determine what you want, how much of the work you can do and what professional help you need. Get multiple quotes from green plumbers.

What are you prepared to outlay? Use the phone and the internet to estimate costs.

Your Eco Store: http://www.yourecostore.com.au/
Blue Scope Steel http://www.bluescopewater.com.au/ (steel tanks)
Bushman tanks: http://www.bushmantanks.com/Products/productlist.aspx?nodeid=1303
Irrigation Warehouse www.irrigationwarehouse.com.au
Rain reviva: http://www.rainreviva.com.au (bladder storage)
Aussie Bladda: http://www.aussiebladda.com.au (bladder storage)
Polymaster Rainwater Tanks and Accessories
Nylex Water storage Tanks and Accessories
Rainsaver Harvesting Control Systems
Tankworld Rainwater Tanks
TeamPoly Slimline Tanks
Waterwall Rainwater Storage Systems
Clark Tanks

http://www.polyworld.com.au/calculations.htm#IUse for calculations
http://www.thinkwater.act.gov.au/calculators/rainwater.shtml (not so good)
http://home.iprimus.com.au/foo7/tank.html (not so good)
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/downloads/your_private_drinking_water_supply.pdf
http://njhurst.com/garden/docs/rainwatertanks.html

114 White St Moorabbin (Ph. 0402 053 693) have a range of containers of varying shapes and sizes recycled from food processing &endash; none have contained chemicals. They're useful for catching overflow, or for areas too small to take a tank. 350 litres: $150; 200 litre drums; 1000 litre $375