Water Tanks in Australia

In this day of environmentally friendly living and the fact that most of the country is suffering under drought conditions, tanks are quickly becoming (once again), an integral part of Australian living, not only on farms and rural properties but in inner city homes and businesses. Now, a combination of record populations, high water usage, and the worst drought in generations has seen authorities change from opposing urban water tanks to encouraging them, often with some type of rebate from the government.

• In Canberra in the ACT, new developments must include at least 1500 litres of water tank
• In Sydney and NSW, new building regulations call for a 40% reduction in mains water usage
• In Victoria, new homes will have to install either a solar HWS, or a water tank

Not only is government regulation in Australia moving towards a water tank on most new homes, but a rapidly increasing number of existing home owners are installing water storage tanks for their homes.

Concrete water tanks aren't often used in urban areas, but metal tanks are popular. By far the most popular tanks with customers are the modern poly tanks, also known as plastic, PE or polyethylene tanks. These long-life tanks come in a variety of shapes, a wide range of colours. Here at Bega Farm Supplies we sell Pacific Modular Tanks, Nylex Plastanks and Rapid Plas tanks. We also sell new liners for old tanks.

Used correctly, rainwater tanks are an effective way to take the pressure off our limited water resources, and at the same time, help manage storm water run-off. By storing rainwater run-off from your roof, rainwater tanks can provide a valuable water source for flushing toilets, in washing machines, watering gardens and washing cars.

Using rainwater appropriately (and in conjunction with water efficient devices like dual flush toilets, showerheads with at least a AAA-rating, taps, tap aerators, trigger nozzles and tap timers) can save you money on water bills and help the environment by:

• conserving our valuable drinking water and reducing the demand on our water supply (conserving water also reduces the chemical and energy requirements for treating and transporting water to your home via the mains supply)
• reducing the amount of stormwater leaving your property by minimising flooding (using your rainwater for day-to-day purposes like toilet flushing helps create space in your tank for more water the next time it rains)

While the NSW Department of Health doesn't advise using rainwater for drinking when there's an alternative mains water supply available, we could save millions of litres a year by using rainwater for toilets, in washing machines, and garden and outdoor use.