Best use of rainwater

Rainwater is a valuable resource. Unfortunately with the current climate, rainfall is highly variable, with little rain over summer and autumn, providing insufficient water for gardening unless large capacity tanks are installed.

Significant water savings can be made by capturing rainwater and using it where clean water is really required - the toilet, laundry, car and pool.

• How much greywater
• Greywater FAQs
• Greywater for the garden
• Filtration vs Treatement
• Greywater vs Rainwater

Toilets and Washing Machines 

Method

Install a minimum 2,000 litre water tank, with a mains pressure pump connected to toilet cisterns and the washing machine.

Cost

Approximately $3,500 for an installed, automatic system. If sufficient room is available, a 5,000+ litre tank should be installed to maximise government rebates.

Cars 

Method

If a raintank has already been installed, simply use the pump for the tank to wash the car directly.

If there is insufficient room for a tank, consider the Home Water Bowser, connected to a downpipe.

At $465 complete, including bin, pump, plumbing assembly and hose, it is a cost effective solution for low - medium water requirements.

Cost

$0 if water tank and pump already installed. $465 for the Home Water Bowser (or $269 for a kit if you already have your own bin)

Pools

Method

The first step is to ensure a quality pool cover / blanket is fitted. This substantially reduces the amount of evaporation. 

If sufficient room is available, install 5,000 litre water tanks. To maximise water harvesting, water level sensors shuld be installed in both the water tank and the pool, so that if the tank is close to full, a pump automatically pumps water into the pool, unless the pool is already close to full.

Note that pool overflow / waste water should be discharged into the sewer instead of the stormwater drain.

A simpler (and far cheaper method) is to simply install downpipe diverters connected to the pool by hoses. We recommend RainTap diverters as they significantly reduce the risk of flooding during extreme rainstorms.

Cost

RainTap downpipe divertors, $24.95 each.

Complete Rainwater Tank solution, including pump, automatic control system and installation, from $3,000 upwards.