It was common to see people watering their lawns in the evening, washing the car on the weekend and standing under the cool, running water on a hot day.

In recent years, the idea has been gradually spreading that water is a valuable resource. This is particularly evident during periods of drought, when water restrictions are in place.

One thing that has made a massive difference to the amount of water we have available – taking us back to the ‘good old days‘, if you like – is the installation of a water tank. If you haven’t really thought about putting one in, here are a few things which might just have you considering the idea.

What is a water tank?

Firstly, let’s take a step back and make sure we’re both thinking of the same thing. I’m simply referring to a rainwater tank (aka rain barrel), which is simply a large container that collects the water from your roof when it rains; allowing you to re-use that water at other times. Most tanks have a tap near the base, and a common use is to connect a hose and use the water to keep the garden happy.

Of course, there are a number of other things you can do with that water – ranging from looking after your pets to use in dishwashers and washing machines. And the ultimate use; you can drink it.

Types of water tanks

Round and slimline : Tanks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, designed to suit a great range of accommodation. For existing homes there are large, sturdy outdoor models (in a range of shapes, sizes and colours). These just need a solid, flat surface (a small concrete slab or a paved area) somewhere near the guttering. Redirect a downpipe, set up an overflow, and you’re good to go.

NB : An option may be to bury the tank beneath a garden or lawn. Although it takes a bit of work to set up, it’s completely hidden from view. Perfect.

Bladder : Newer homes often take advantage of the massive, inflatable bags which are designed for use under floors or decking. Although it’s possible to install these in existing homes, it’s much easier (and cheaper) to design the floor with the bags in mind.

If you’re living in an apartment or other type of shared accommodation, it’s worth talking to the person/people in charge of things there. Not only is it a sensible and environmentally-friendly approach; it’s often much, much cheaper.

Rainsaver gutter / tank : these tanks are hidden with a fairly typical guttering system, and can hold a surprising amount of water. A notable example is the RainSaver.

Under gravel, paths and gardens : I love the idea of these – particularly for new homes or during major landscaping work.

The tanks resemble milk crates (with a finer mesh, of course), and are buried beneath gardens, paths and driveways. Excess water works its way down to them, where it is stored for later re-use. A beautiful setup.

Atlantis are the best tanks of this type I’ve seen, and there are some excellent resources on their site looking at this approach.

Benefits of tanks

There are several reasons to consider setting up a water tank or two. They are :

Water tank supplier sydney brisbane melbourne

Cheaper : When it comes to saving money, this one’s definitely on the shortlist. After all, rainwater is cheaper than the stuff you pay to have piped in.

The only costs to offset that (and these are one-time-only) are the price of the tank itself [rebates are often available], and the installation.

NB : The installation isn’t particularly difficult. If you’re DIY-inclined you can probably do it yourself; otherwise it’s time to call the local plumber or guttering expert. The company which sold you the tank may even install it for you.

Add value to your property : Unsurprisingly, homes with reduced – or no – bills do somewhat better than their conventional counterparts (everything else being equal). Reducing or eliminating the need to buy water can increase the value of your home.

You’ll use less water : Like a lot of things, knowing you ‘can‘ is often enough. Once the tank is in place, you may find yourself using a little less water – simply because you know it’s there, if you need it.

What size tank do I need?

This depends on three main things :

1.The amount of water you’re using currently (see the first part in this series – How to Measure Your Water Usage for the answer to this)

2.The space you have available, and are allowed to use

3.Your financial situation (see the section on Rebates – these may make it a much more reasonable proposition)

Tanks range in size from just a few hundred litres to hundreds of thousands; so there’s bound to be something to suit your current needs. A family home may only require 10,000 litres or less to completely look after its water requirements. That’s for the garden, washing, cooking, drinking – everything.

To find out your own household water use, take a look at the first article in this series – How to Measure Your Water Usage.

How long will it take to fill the tank?

To get an idea of the time it’ll take to fill the tank, you’ll need to know two things :

• the rainfall in your area (an approximation is usually available online, or you can measure the actual rainfall on your property)

• the area your roof covers (although the material, pitch and installation of your roof all play a role, the area will give you a pretty good idea)

As a guide, 1 square metre of roof will catch about 1 litre of water for each mm of rainfall.

Replacing the household water supply

Although the simplest use for a water tank is to store rainwater to look after the garden on dry days, they can certainly be used to help with any water needs around the house.

The tank’s installer will give you an idea of cost here (if you installed it yourself, just call a local plumber).

Rebates

Although the price of tanks has fallen slightly in recent years, they still require a bit of an investment. One thing which may help is a government rebate.

As these vary from state to state, country to country; it’s worth taking a look to see what’s available in your area. To give you an idea though, here are several of the more common approaches :

In Australia : Rebates here also vary from state to state, with a few of the typical schemes outlined on the Rain Harvesting site.

NB : One of the easiest ways to find out what’s available locally is to ask the salesman at your local whitegoods store. If they sell washing machines and dishwashers, they’ll know where to look.

Regardless of whether you own your own home, share accommodation or rent; the benefits of using a water tank are well worth considering.

Based in Dural we provide a wide range of services and products.

Water Tanks.

There is a wide range of water tanks on the market that also come in a range of colours making it easy to intergrate into any design scheme. There are a number of different configerations.

• Concrete Water Tanks
• Poly Water Tanks
• Corrugated Metal Water Tank
• Stainless Steel

Irrigation Systems

Drip Irrigation – Under current water restrictions in most states drip irrigation is the preferred method of watering your lawns and gardens.

Spray Irrigation – can still be used if you are not affected by water restrictions, have a rainwater tank installed in your home, or live in area with recycled water.

We also provide pumps, grey water treatment systems, pool products, water pumps for ponds and much more.

To get a free quotes for your needs be sure to call us on 1300 79 79 50 or use our contact form.

Every day, there are many simple, practical things we can do in the house, when you’re pottering around outdoors or if you are at work to conserve water, save money and help the environment.

These tips can also apply to businesses and it is important to educate your staff on correct water saving proceedures.

Why do we need to save water?

Of all the water in the world, only 3% is fresh. Less than one third of 1% of this fresh water is available for human use. The rest is frozen in glaciers or polar ice caps, or is deep within the earth, beyond our reach.

To put it another way, if 100 litres represents the world’s water, about half a tablespoon of it is fresh water available for our use.

It’s time to become water efficient! This involves reassessing our relationship with water, and learning to use it more sparingly. On the most basic level, it requires a behavioural change, and assigning a value to water that truly reflects its worth.

1. Have shorter showers - 1 minute less in the shower SAVES 9 litres*

2. Only do the washing when there is a full load – SAVES 130 litres*

3. Put the dishwasher on when it is full – SAVES 60 litres*

4. Install a AAA shower rebate – SAVES 13 litres per minute* (and get a government rebate)

5. Use less water in the bath

6. Use economy settings on washing machines and dishwashers

7. Check for leaks – check meter before you to bed and when you get up in the morning

8. Install a dual-flush toilet – SAVES 9 litres per flush*

9. Check for any toilet leaks - put a small amount of biodegradable food colouring in the cistern

10. Fix any leaking toilets – SAVES 16,000 litres per year*

11. Stop/fix any dripping taps – SAVES 24,000 litres per year*

12. Don’t run the tap when it is not needed – like when brushing teeth or shaving – SAVES 17 litres per minute*

13. Install aerotaros and flow restrictors on taps

14. Use less water when rinsing dishes

15. Wash vegetables with a plug in the sink

16. Buy a AAA rated washing machine (and get a government rebate)

17. Buy a AAA rated dishwasher (and get a government rebate)

18. Install a rainwater tank (and get a government rebate)

19. Invest in a grey water treatment system

20. Install an automatic controller to water different zones of you garden at different times and days to ensure the right areas of the garden are getting watered without waste

21. Install a rain sensor to automatically switch your irrigation system off when it has rained

22. Mulch your gardens to allow plants to retain water

23. Plant native plants that require less water to survive

*All water savings are estimates

A swimming pool pump is a crucial piece of mechanics that works hard to keep your pool clean.

What Does a Swimming Pool Pump Do?

The overall goal of the pool circulation system is to cycle the pool water through the filtration system, where dirt and debris are removed and water is sanitized and returned to the pool clean and inviting. The heart of the system is the pool pump. Turnover is the amount of time it takes to move a volume of water, equal to the size of your pool, through the filtration and sanitation process once.

A swimming pool pump comes in a variety of sizes, shapes and models. Bigger is not always better, however, so knowing something about pumps and what they do will stand you in good stead as you either build your pool or are in the process of replacing old, battered parts. The size and type of swimming pool you own has a lot to do with the type of pool pump you buy, for manufactures make pumps for above ground and in ground pool needs.

Why is a pool pump so important?

Because it works with your pool’’s filtration system to keep the pool clean of debris. The pump pulls water out of the pool through a skimmer basket and then through the filtering system, and back into the pool. Without the pump, nothing works.

Most types of pumps will state their capacity, so always know what size your pool is before looking for pool equipment. You should know the basic area of your pool as well as how many gallons it holds. Most pumps will designate how much water they can pump either hourly or by the minute.

Running your swimming pool pump.

In most cases, people run a swimming pool pump for six to eight hours a day, especially in the summertime and when the pool is being used. If your pool is small and stays relatively clean, you can cut back that running time in fall and winter months to save electricity.

All pumps should come with some type of straining basket that is designed to catch leaves, sticks, and toys, or whatever else manages to end up in your pool. These baskets can be oblong, square, open or closed, but as long as they keep debris from entering your filtering system, the shape doesn”t matter.

Check your filtration system.

When looking for a swimming pool pump, also take into consideration the age of your filtering system. An old system may not be very efficient in filtering water no matter how powerful the pump is, so don”t throw good money after bad. A pump moves the water, it doesn”t clean it. That’’s for your filtering system. Carefully watching chemical levels and water clarity, combined with good water circulation, is the best way to achieve good results with your pool.

For more swimming pool information please use our contact form to get a quote on the best pump for your pool or call 1300 79 79 50

Modular water tanks are used for rain harvesting, you can line multiple tanks up side by side in order to expand your rainwater collection capacity. But the best news is the tanks are also designed to fit into very tight spots or areas where there are narrow space limitations. Modular water tanks are ideal for sidewalks, behind or along fences or beside the house.

The sturdy construction of the tanks along with the high quality material means you can expect many years of service. These tanks offer great value for the money.

Because of the huge range of shapes and colours, rain water tanks today can  produce athsetic feature walls or be incorporated into almost any area no matter how small.

Even people in home units and apartments can also make use of rain water tanks the same way. With a little forward thought and some of these new modular units people can have excess water on tap.

For more information use our contact form or call 1300 79 79 50 for a quote

Water is almost as precious as gold.

Without food a person can live for weeks, but without water you can expect to live only a few days.

LOOK HOW MUCH WATER CAN BE SAVED BY A RAINWATER TANK

Every 1mm of rain that falls on every square metre of roof area equals 1 litre of water in your tank.

To calculate how much water you can stop from washing down the drain simply multiply your roof area by the rainfall.

For example your house is 15 metres long and 13 metres wide - 15 x 13 = 195 square metres and you receive 1mm of water - 1mm x 195sq m = 195 litres of rainwater filling your tank.

During a good rainfall you may get 20mm of rain that will be 3,900 litres of water in your tank.

Installing a rain water tank can take a lot of pressure off our storage sytems.

How much water do you use?

• Toilet flush(single cistern) – 12L
• Toilet flush (dual cistern, 1/2 flush) – 3L
• Toilet flush (dual cistern, full flush) – 7L
• Washing machine (top) – 200L
• Washing machine (front) – 80L
• Dishwasher – 50L
• Bath – 100L
• Shower (8 min) – 120L
• Shower (8 min, water efficient showerhead) – 72L
• Brushing teeth (tap running) – 15L
• Brushing teeth (tap off) – 5L
• Washing hands – 5L
• Dripping tap – 2,000L/month
• Topping up a pool – 2000L
• Hosing driveway – 100L
• Washing car (with hose) – 200L
• Garden sprinkler (pop up) – 1000L/hour
• Garden dripper – 4L/hour

Average daily water usage for a family of three – 800L.  This can be reduced to 500L with some water saving strategies which we will look at in the next instalment.

To get a quote on your water tank contact us.