Rainwater tanks have become a lot more popular since the Australian government brought in water restrictions in the early 00’s and tanks are vital requirements for more remote parts of the country.

In some states, they will even offer you a cash rebate to install a tank.

In a survey about why citizens haven’t opted for rainwater collection systems, the safety of the water quality only counted for one percent of those surveyed.

That being said, there are a few safety concerns you should be aware of.

Here are a few tips for keeping your rainwater tanks in tip top condition:

Water Safety

Rainwater is a free and sustainable way to meet your water needs and on average, it is safe to drink without treatment.

The cleanliness of your tank is the main concern when it comes to water purity so make sure you flush through on initial installation to remove any dirt or residue.

The inlet and overflow holes of your rainwater tanks should be the only openings exposed to the air but they both need a mesh covering to stop insects and debris from getting into the tank.

Harmless sludge will slowly build up at the bottom of your tank so this should be cleared every two to three years and this can be done by fixing an inverted funnel to a siphon hose and slowly moving it over the sludge to pull it up through the pipe.

Alternatively there are companies that can do it for you if you aren’t confident doing it yourself.

If you live in an area that has a lot of industrial activity such as factories, it is advisable to not use rainwater for drinking as there is a higher risk of airborne pollution that could harm the quality of your water.

You should boil your rainwater if people who have immunodeficiencies such as the very old, very young or cancer patients are going to be drinking it.

This is to remove the remote possibility of microbes or other contaminants that may have gotten into the tank.

The Catchment Area or the Roof

You should have a first-flush diverter installed with your rainwater tanks.

These are necessary to make sure dust and debris from the roof doesn’t clog the inlet with first rainfall after a dry period.

If you install new roof tiles after your rainwater tanks are already in place, make sure you divert the first rains away so any residue on the tiles is washed off.

If you don’t do this, the colour and taste of your water could be affected.

Make sure the roof stays free of leaves and twigs so any overhanging branches should be trimmed back and the guttering should be checked and cleaned regularly.

Mesh filters can be installed inside the gutter to further prevent blockage and these should be cleaned fairly frequently too.

If you are interested in rainwater tanks, give us a call on 0428 787 462.