Water Tanks from Coastline Plastics offer many environmental benefits. As the world’s driest continent, fresh water is a limited and valuable commodity in Australia. Over 90 per cent of Australians receive their domestic supply from reticulated mains or town water but there are vast areas with few reticulated supplies (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2001).
These areas depend on tank rainwater or water from dams. Even in areas that receive mains water, many households use domestic tank rainwater to increase supplies or provide an alternative and renewable water source. The importance of water conservation measures such as the use of rainwater tanks has been highlighted by widespread water restrictions.
The decision about how to use tank rainwater is a matter of personal choice. While the microbiological quality of rainwater from rainwater tanks is not as reliable as mains water, it is ideal for use as a renewable alternative water source for hot water services, bathing, laundry, toilet flushing or gardening.
Health hazards of tank rainwater can be minimised by effective management procedures. Some steps that can be taken include installing a large first flush rank rainwater diverter, to minimise coming into contact with accumulated dust, bird and animal droppings, leaves and other debris that may be present in the first flush of water. Maintenance of roof catchments, guttering, piping and rainwater tanks are also important to ensure quality tank rainwater. First flush devices should be used as an additional barrier to reduce contamination and should not replace normal maintenance activities designed to keep roof catchments clean.
The amount of rain combined with the roof catchment area will determine the size of rainwater tank required and the volume of water collected. A number of water conservation measures could also be applied, such as dual flush toilets, reduced-flow showerheads, and washing machines with suds savers.
Tank rainwater is a practical way to create a sustainable environment.