Is it illegal to collect rainwater in Australia?
According to Australia’s enHealth Council “the quality of water from household rainwater tanks is not as consistently high as that provided by well-managed urban water supplies”. However, no Australian health authority declares water collected from roofs for rainwater tanks to be non-drinking water.
Where should rainwater tanks be placed?
Perhaps your tanks would be better positioned on the outer side of a path, or maybe right up the back of your house in garden surroundings. If you wish to avoid unsightly above ground pipes (a “dry system”), an alternative is to run pipes underground to deliver harvested rainwater into your tank (a “wet system”).
Is rainwater okay to drink?
Avoid using rainwater for drinking, cooking, brushing your teeth, or rinsing or watering plants that you intend to eat. Instead, use municipal tap water if it is available, or purchase bottled water for these purposes.
Is rainwater safe to drink Australia?
Generally yes. A properly maintained rainwater tank can provide good quality drinking water. Rainwater tanks are widely used as a source of drinking water throughout rural Australia.
How long do rainwater tanks last?
The expected lifetime of any tank should be at least 20 years, and indeed, many tanks come with a 20 or even 25 year warranty. As already discussed, a number of factors will determine just how long the tank actually lasts, including water quality, maintenance and positioning of the tank.
What are the benefits of rainwater tanks?
Four benefits of installing a rainwater tank
- Less Erosion & Flooding. Saving rainwater can help the environment on a bigger level.
- Low Water Bill. You can use rainwater for various purposes and therefore reduce the demand for tap water.
- Perfect for non-drinkable purposes.
- Keeps plants healthy and growing.
What size water tank do I need for Basix?
For an average suburban house and lot, the existing tank would typically need to be more than 7,500L to cater for both existing and new uses and for a large rural lot, the existing tank would need to be significantly larger, typically 20,000 litres or more.
How does a rainwater tank work?
How do rainwater tanks work? Rainwater tanks work by storing rain when it falls. By reconfiguring your guttering system, instead of rainwater going into the waterways you can instead store it on your property. This water can then be used to water your garden, to flush your toilet or in your laundry.