Rainwater tanks and collectors
When it rains, water lands on your roof and can drain into gutters and drains. You can gather this water with rainwater tanks. Tanks come in different sizes, from small for a city garden to larger sizes for country homes. They're handy for keeping our waterways safe and providing water to your home and garden.
Benefits of collecting rainwater
Collecting and storing rainwater is a great alternative water source. Storing water can:
- be used during dry spells or water restrictions
- save you money in the long run because it’s free water to use
- protect the waterways because there’s less soil being washed into the waterways.
Choosing the right rainwater tank
When considering a water tank, you might want to consider a few factors. Most rainwater tank manufacturers will have online tools to help you calculate the size of the rainwater tank that will suit your needs.
How big your roof is
The size of your roof will tell you how much rainwater you can capture. Every m2 of roof will harvest 1 L of water for every 1 mm of rain that falls. The bigger your roof, the more water you can collect.
How big your property is
Depending on your property size, you might need a bigger or smaller tank.
How you want to use your tank
Think about what you'll use the collected water for. It could be for gardening, toilet flushing, or other household needs. To use the water around your home, your tank should be made from, or lined with, a food-grade material. If you're storing water to use on your garden or for flushing toilets. How much it rains
You'll want to understand how much rainfall you get in your area. This will help you work out how much water you can collect.
Understand the costs
Rainwater tank prices can change based on materials and how long they last, and how good they are. It’s best to compare prices from different sellers to get the best deal.
The cost to install a rainwater tank can also vary depending on how complicated it is. It might need the technician to:
- get a licenced plumber to do household plumbing connections
- do electrical work needed for the system.
Installing your rainwater tank
You can set up water tank systems outside your home on your own, if it's done carefully. You'll need a licenced plumber to install connections to use the rainwater in your home. You may also need an electrician to install electrical outlets and wiring for pumps.
Maintaining your rainwater tank
Taking regular care of your rainwater tank system will help keep up the water quality. Find more ways to keep your rainwater tank clean on the Sydney Water website.