Rainwater Tanks in Melbourne
Are you considering adding a rainwater tank to you Melbourne back yard? You’re not alone. The water shortages of the past few years along with increased cost of water for home usage, have led to rainwater tanks becoming much more desirable and popular in the suburbs of Melbourne. Rainwater is free and having your own water tank can provide an additional source of water for many purposes, from showers, washing your dishes and laundry, toilet flushing, to keeping your plants and garden healthy during summer.
Old fashioned rainwater tanks were a little unsightly but these days there are a number of available style choices for rainwater tanks, including the traditional round shape in galvanised steel, or slimline tanks for smaller gardens and underground tanks for better space-saving. And of course, there are colour choices too.
How Rainwater Tanks Work
Rainwater tanks work by collecting and storing rainwater, mostly from rooftops. This enables you to use the rainwater or to store it for use at another time. The water that enters the tank passes through a filter to prevent debris entering the tank. The roof catchment area should be kept as free from debris as practicable, and washed down once or twice a year. Gutter protection systems are also useful for keeping gutters clear of leaves and other debris.
You’ll also need to ensure that the roofing material is suitable for safely collecting rainwater. Zincalume or Colorbond steel sheets, concrete tiles and glazed tiles are all suitable.
Using Rainwater
Generally speaking rainwater is clean and soft when collected and is usually safe for drinking, but can be tested for quality if there is any doubt. It can be treated with chlorine if micro-organisms are suspected or found in the water, or alternatively, it can be boiled before use.
In very busy urban areas rain water collected from the roof top may not always be ideal for drinking, due to a pollution build-up on rooftops, so the quality of the water should be tested. Of course if you plan to use the water only for washing, flushing and watering the garden, then there is usually no need for testing or treatment.
If you have a swimming pool which requires a lot of water, a rainwater tank can help to top up your water supply thus reducing your dependence on mains water, while at the same time contributing on a broader environmental level to town water conservation and reduced consumption.
It is also important to maintain your rainwater tank regularly in order to prevent contamination. Inlet filters should be cleaned and kept in good condition, and every couple of years it is important to check the tank for sludge build-up which could increase micro-organisms or lead levels. If sludge is found the tank should be emptied and cleaned. A professional tank-cleaner is the best person for this job to ensure your tank is properly and safely cleaned.
If you’d like to know more about installing a rainwater tank in your Melbourne garden, or incorporating a tank into your garden landscape design, speak to the experts at Salt Pools Pty Ltd for a free assessment and quote.
