Guidelines for Collection, Care and Control of
Rainwater in Tanks
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GUIDELINES FOR THE COLLECTION, CARE AND CONTROL OF RAINWATER IN TANKS
F A C T S H E E T
Rainwater tanks can provide a supply of good quality potable water with proper management of the tank and roof catchment.
The Tank & Reduction of Water Consumption
Tanks are available in galvanised steel, zincalume, fibreglass and concrete and all are suitable for the storage of potable water. Rainwater tanks should protect water from contamination. Contaminants such as industrial pollutants, dust, leaves, pollens, pesticide sprays, fertilisers, debris, vermin, birds, small animals and insects should be prevented from gaining access to the water. Whenever possible tanks should be installed in a shady position but away from trees from which falling leaves might clog screens or contaminate the water. Cover, Lids and Screens Tanks should be covered and all openings provided with close fitting lids or gauze mesh screens. Inlet Screens Water should be screened before entering the tank to reduce the introduction of contaminants which could foul or discolour the water and contribute to the build-up of sludge. Larger contaminant material can be filtered from water entering a tank by a suitably fitted gauze mesh screen. Various in-line screens and filtering devices have been marketed in South Australia. However, if such screens are not available as a standard item they can readily be made to order. Screens and filters need to be positioned and fitted so that they are readily accessible for regular cleaning, particularly where leaves fall onto the catchment area. The locating of the inlet filling pipe so as to discharge in a central position immediately over the tank access opening (manhole), but so as not to inhibit regular cleaning of screening, is a recommended practice. The access opening should be screened in a manner such that the screen mesh gauze fits onto the bottom of a collar approximately 50mm in depth thus providing a sunken dished reservoir on the roof of the
GUIDELINES FOR THE COLLECTION, CARE AND CONTROL OF RAINWATER IN TANKS
F A C T S H E E T
Rainwater tanks can provide a supply of good quality potable water with proper management of the tank and roof catchment.
The Tank & Reduction of Water Consumption
Tanks are available in galvanised steel, zincalume, fibreglass and concrete and all are suitable for the storage of potable water. Rainwater tanks should protect water from contamination. Contaminants such as industrial pollutants, dust, leaves, pollens, pesticide sprays, fertilisers, debris, vermin, birds, small animals and insects should be prevented from gaining access to the water. Whenever possible tanks should be installed in a shady position but away from trees from which falling leaves might clog screens or contaminate the water. Cover, Lids and Screens Tanks should be covered and all openings provided with close fitting lids or gauze mesh screens. Inlet Screens Water should be screened before entering the tank to reduce the introduction of contaminants which could foul or discolour the water and contribute to the build-up of sludge. Larger contaminant material can be filtered from water entering a tank by a suitably fitted gauze mesh screen. Various in-line screens and filtering devices have been marketed in South Australia. However, if such screens are not available as a standard item they can readily be made to order. Screens and filters need to be positioned and fitted so that they are readily accessible for regular cleaning, particularly where leaves fall onto the catchment area. The locating of the inlet filling pipe so as to discharge in a central position immediately over the tank access opening (manhole), but so as not to inhibit regular cleaning of screening, is a recommended practice. The access opening should be screened in a manner such that the screen mesh gauze fits onto the bottom of a collar approximately 50mm in depth thus providing a sunken dished reservoir on the roof of the