There are many reasons to install a rain water tank. They include being able to save water and water save money, adding value to your home and enabling you to bypass any water restrictions. These water tanks will also add value to your home.
Water is a limited resource as Australia is the driest continent in the world. Most Australians receive their water from reticulated mains or town water, but there are vast areas without a reticulated supply. Living in these areas people rely on supply collected in tanks and dams. Even in cities, many people rely on water collected in rainwater tanks to augment or replace their dependence on town supplies.
The initial outlay for a good sized durable rain water tank may seem large, but with reduced water bills, the tank will pay for itself many times over in the years to come. With a rainwater tank installed, you can also feel good about relieving some of the pressure on town supplies which become very stretched, especially in times of drought.
In the past, rainwater reservoirs were made of concrete, galvanized steel, and polythene plastic. Today they are made of different materials, such as wood, steel, fibre glass and polyethylene plastic, as these are all more durable and resistant to chemicals and rusting. There are many shapes to choose from: round tanks which hold a large amount of water and slim line tanks that are great on the side of a wall or behind the house. You can also have ornate tanks that are specifically designed to add beauty to the design of your house.
The tanks are not transparent, so the water does not get exposed to the sun, thus limiting the growth of algal blooms. They are usually stored above ground so clean water can run straight into the tanks without any contaminants.
The tank is also usually covered to prevent insects and bird droppings from getting into the water. They often have a liner to prevent the water from leaking out and making the water safer to use.
Rainwater is most appropriate for use in the laundry, to flush toilets, to do the dishes, to clean vehicles and to water the garden. It can be used as drinking water, but as an added precaution, the water should be filtered before use. The whole home can be connected to a water tank system and by using filters and rainwater harvesting accessories, this can be a very safe and viable solution to satisfy all the needs of the household.
Although the chances of contracting illnesses from tank water are low, the quality of water from the tanks is not as high as that provided by urban water supplies. If there is any concern about the purity of the water, rainwater use can be restricted to providing water for hot water services, bathing, laundry, toilet flushing, gardening and washing cars. Thus it would only be necessary to rely on town water supplies for drinking and food preparation.
It is important, once this type of water tank has been chosen and installed, to maintain it well through proper cleaning of the pipes and accessories. This is relatively easy to carry out.
There are so many benefits to using a rain water tank. It is a worthwhile and sound investment for any household.
rahul