WHY NOT Install a Rainwater Tank step by step guide to assist you

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1 WHY NOT Install a Rainwater Tank step by step guide to assist you Rainwater tanks have never been easier to install read on to find out more! Rainwater tanks are a simple and effective way to reduce your ecological footprint. They help preserve our scarce water reserves, save you money on your water bills and can capture stormwater that you can use later. The following fact sheet is a step by step guide on how to install a rainwater tank in your home. What can I use my harvested water for? NSW Health recommends that people use the public water supply for drinking and cooking because it is treated by means of filtration, disinfection and generally fluoridation. Harvested water from rainwater tanks is recommended for all other non-drinking uses such as; Toilet flushing Washing clothes Water heating systems Car washing Watering the garden and filling decorative ponds Swimming pools and spas Fire fighting As a general guide: 2 For every 1mm of rain that falls on 1m of roof, 1 litre of water is collected. Therefore for a roof that is 100m 2 (10m x 10m), each 1mm of rainfall will deliver 100 litres of water. Annual average rainfall in Sydney is 1217mm. The average person in Sydney consumes around 380 litres of water per day. Approximately 12L of this is for drinking and cooking, 38L is for flushing the toilet, 100L is for bath and shower, 15L dishwasher and washing machine, 195L is for gardens and 12L for other. You can determine your household water use by examining your latest water bill. Things to consider before you install a rainwater tank Before you rush out and install a rainwater tank there are a few things you need to consider. A well-thought out plan can save you time and money How will you use your harvested water? What size tank will you require? Where will you put your tank? Choosing the type of tank Mounting your rainwater tank Does the tank require Council approval? Installation requirements Maintaining your rainwater tank

2 WHY NOT Install a Rainwater Tank step by step guide page 2 1. How will you use your harvested water? Think about the end uses of your harvested water. Knowing what the water will be used for will have a bearing on all the other decisions you need to make as part of the tank installation. ;; Water small garden (2,000L) ;; Water big garden (5,000L) ;; Washing machines and toilets (5,000L) 2. What size tank will you require? The size of the tank depends on the following four factors: 1) 2) 3) 4) How you use your harvested water The size of your roof catchment The annual rainfall Your household water consumption Once you have this information, you can work out how big your tank will need to be to match your requirements. 3. Where will you put your tank? You know where you will use the water, now work out if there is a location nearby where the tank can be appropriately sited; Some things to consider: Select a suitable shape and size water tank that fits your preferred location; Is it near the existing down pipes? Consider your neighbours, ensure your tank does not block their natural light, ventilation or outlook or detract from the streetscape; If you want to install a pump, make sure it is located in a place that will have low noise for your family or neighbours; Consider access to the tank and your home for maintenance purposes; Building regulations may also limit where you can locate a rainwater tank on your property in relation to the front, side and rear boundaries; Be aware of the stress placed on retaining walls, from a rainwater tank above or near any retaining walls on your property or your neighbour s property

3 WHY NOT Install a Rainwater Tank step by step guide page 3 4. Choosing the type of tank There are five different types of rainwater tank on the market. Discuss with your supplier the advantages and disadvantages of different tank types before choosing one that s right for you. Here is a simple guide to the different types that exist. Polyethylene Poly tanks are durable, UV resistant, light weight and easy to transport. They are available in many sizes (slimline, round, tall, squat) and colours and can be placed above or below ground. Metal tanks are light and easy to transport, can be custom made and are suitable above or below ground. They are usually corrugated or steel coated. Fibreglass tanks are lightweight, tolerant of extreme temperatures and are resistant to rust and chemical corrosion. They are easy to transport and come in a large range of colours and sizes. They are best placed above ground. Concrete tanks can be built above or below ground. They re usually made on site and are durable and long lasting. They re good for preventing algal growth (light can t penetrate) and they keep water cool. Bladder water tanks are ideal for use under houses and verandas. They can be made to order so they can be customised to your requirements. Check the tank is manufactured to appropriate Australian Standards (AS/NZS and AS ). Also check the warranty conditions of the rainwater tank. 5. Mounting your rainwater tank The way that your tank is mounted will be affected by its size, shape and type. Generally speaking rainwater tanks should be mounted on flat compacted ground or on a hard surface. If you need to increase the effects of gravity then you can mount the rainwater tank on a range of elevated hard stands. It is advisable to seek advice from your supplier about how to mount your tank. 6. Do I require approval from Council? It is important that you find out about Council requirements before you put in a tank. The following information is a guide to the current Council requirements at both Warringah and Pittwater but remember there is no substitute for obtaining advice from Council directly. Warringah Council In the Warringah Local Government area rainwater tanks do not require approval if they comply with Warringah Council s LEP2000, Exempt Development general conditions and the specific criteria for rainwater tanks as follows: The capacity of the tank to be installed (or the total capacity of tanks to be installed) does not exceed the maximum capacity and each tank: is designed to collect roof water only, but can be topped up from a water supply service pipe, and; is fitted with a first flush device, and; is prefabricated, is enclosed and has any inlet screened, is structurally sound and is installed in accordance with its manufacturer s instructions, and; complies with any requirements of the local water supply authority (as does any stand for the tank), and does not require excavation or filling of more than 1m from natural ground level in order for it to be installed, and;

4 WHY NOT Install a Rainwater Tank step by step guide page 4 does not exceed a height of 2.4m from ground level (including any stand for the tank), and is located behind the front building alignment (and also the side alignment for corner blocks), and is located at least 450mm from any property boundary, and; does not rest (in full or in part) on the footing of any building or structure or on a retaining wall, and has a sign affixed stating rainwater, and; has overflow directed into an existing stormwater system, and; is maintained to prevent mosquito breeding and overflow, and; has had any plumbing work required to connect the tank to a water supply service pipe or water main done by a licensed plumber, in accordance with the New South Wales Code of Practice Plumbing and Drainage, where that plumbing work has the consent of the public authority responsible for the water supply service pipe or water main and meet any requirements of that authority, and; has had any motorised or electric pumps installed by a licensed electrician, and; does not have motorised or electric pumps that create an offensive noise. In this item: maximum capacity means: (a) for a tank installed on a lot used for a child care centre, a primary school or further education 25,000 litres, or (b) in any other case 10,000 litres For more information on these requirements call Council s Duty Planner at the Council s Customer Service Centre on during business hours or alternatively you can view Council s LEP on by clicking on Planning and Development then click Strategic Planning then click Current LEP Exempt Development Schedule. Pittwater Council In Pittwater Council approval is not required provided the installation of the tank complies with the conditions set out in Subdivision 32 and 33 of State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) For full details of SEPP (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 see Prior to installing your rainwater tank it is advisable that you contact Pittwater Council on during business hours and ask for a Duty Planner or alternatively you can log onto Pittwater Council s website click on Building and Development and then click on Development Application tools and search the specific planning controls that apply to your property by simply entering in your address. 7. Installation requirements If you are using the harvested water for internal uses, like toilets and washing machine, you must maintain a minimum water level in your tank to ensure maintenance of hygiene. A licensed plumber must connect a top up system to Sydney Water s main supply and assist you in satisfying their requirements, including fitting a back flow prevention device. If the rainwater tank is connected to Sydney Water s main supply then it must comply with Sydney Waters Rainwater Tank Plumbing Guidelines visit If your tank is not gravity fed then you must install a pump. However before installing a pump consider your neighbours and ensure that the pump is either located away from the property boundary or acoustically attenuated and operated on an automated timer switch to within reasonable times (8am to 8pm). First flush devices and gutter guards are essential for reducing the amount of sediment and other materials entering tank. Screens and gutter guards offer further protection by stopping insects and debris entering and breeding in the tank. 8. Maintaining your rainwater tank It is important to maintain your rainwater tank regularly to ensure the efficient supply of high quality rainwater. Regularly clean and clear leaves and debris from roof catchment areas Remove any overhanging branches Ensure guards, screens, fittings and connections are in a good working order and replace if necessary Check your tank for sludge every 2 years Is there a Rebate Scheme for Rainwater Tanks? (Source: Sydney Water, March 2009) Sydney Water offers a rebate of up to $1,500 to people who install a rainwater tank. There are two parts to the rebate: 1. A tank capacity rebate to help in conjunction with purchasing your rainwater tank this rebate is linked to the size of your rainwater tank

5 WHY NOT Install a Rainwater Tank step by step guide page 5 2. An internal connection rebate for connecting your rainwater tank to a toilet(s) and/or washing machine. Tank(s) Capacity Rebate 2,000 3,999 Litres $150 4,000 6,999 Litres, $ litres and above $500 Internal Connections Rainwater tank connected by a plumber to toilet(s) Additional $500 Rainwater tank connected by a plumber to a washing machine Additional $500 If you purchased and installed a rainwater tank between 20 October 2002 and 30 June 2007, you are eligible for the previous rebate amount of up to $800. On 1 July 2007, the amount for internal connections increased. Applicants who installed a rainwater tank before 1 July 2007 and connected their tank(s) to a washing machine and/or toilet may be entitled to the previous rebate. Provided you have met all other terms and conditions of the rebate program, you are eligible for the following rebate amounts: (Note that the tank capacity rebate is still the same) Purchase date Connection Rebate amount 20/10/2002 to 18/10/2006 Toilet and/or Washing Machine $ /10/2006 to 30/06/2007 Toilet and/or Washing Machine $ For further information on how to apply for the rebate see Sydney Water s website or call them on Note The total rebate cannot be more than the total cost of the tank and installation. In addition, the Federal Government is offering up to $500 rebates for the installation of new rainwater tanks purchased after 30 January For further information visit or by calling If you are required to install a rainwater tank to comply with BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index) or if you have installed a rainwater tank to meet BASIX requirements (even if the tank(s) size is greater than what BASIX required), and the applicable BASIX certificate is dated after 31 December 2004, you are not eligible for a rebate. Further information National Environmental Health Forum enhealth.nphp.gov.au/council/pubs/pdf/rainwater_tanks.pdf Warringah Local Environment Plan Rainwater Tanks, Plumbing Standards and Rebates visit Australian Government National Water Commission Requirement for installation of rainwater and greywater systems in Australia Plumbing requirements talk to your licensed plumber and/or refer to the NSW Code of Practice for Plumbing and Drainage available at Pittwater Council Pittwater DCP 21 Tank suppliers, look under Tanks and Tank Equipment in the Yellow Pages If you have access to the internet search for Rainwater Tanks Warringah Council Customer Service phone or visit the website at Pittwater Council Customer Service phone or visit the website at