In days gone by many Australians relied on harvesting rainwater to meet their water requirements. And of course there are those in rural and remote areas who still do. There are now strong economic and environmental arguments for householders and businesses to collect and use rainwater even when they have access to a town supply.
One of the reasons rainwater collection fell out of favour was the problem of tanks becoming breeding grounds for insects and concerns about contamination of water. These days modern tank installations have reduced these risks and when coupled with regular maintenance the customer can reap the benefits of a free water supply suitable for many household and business requirements.
Rainwater which is appropriately collected can be safely used for such commercial uses as watering the garden, toilet flushing and washing machine supply. There are also a range of applications for harvested water in business and industrial settings.
Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting
In rooftop rainwater harvesting the roof effectively becomes a catchment area and the water is funnelled via downpipes to a holding tank. Rainwater harvesting systems now include devices called first flush diverters which prevent the initial flow of water from entering the tank as it may contain built up dirt and debris from the roof. Gutter leaf guards, mesh covered rainwater heads and tank sieves are also used to reduce the amount of solid material which reaches the storage tank. All tank openings must also be insect proofed. Many rainwater harvesting systems will have some form of filter to further clean the water as it is pumped from the tank to its intended use.
What are the Benefits?
Rainwater harvesting provides significant economic and environmental benefits:
- Using rainwater harvesting to supply some (or all) of your requirements can reduce your dependence on the town water supply. This can be particularly valuable when water restrictions are in place.
- Rainwater is free. With the right rain harvesting system, you may find that you use very little town water, and significantly reduce your water bills.
- By harvesting rainwater you are helping the environment. As demand for water increases so too must the water infrastructure including dams, pipework and treatment facilities. Individuals taking responsibility for their own water supply can help to ease the burden on town water supplies.
The Importance of Service and Maintenance
It’s very important to service and maintain your rainwater harvesting system. Failure to maintain the rainwater system leads to a loss of efficiency. Sieves and filters need to be regularly cleaned to avoid blockages, otherwise precious water may fail to enter the tank and be diverted to the stormwater drainage system. This should be done about every 3 months or more frequently if the roof catches a lot of leaf material.
Desludging of tanks is something that may be required if debris has reached the tank over an extended period and settled to the bottom.
As Brisbane plumbers, we know how important rainwater harvesting is to the environment and your bottom line. Our commercial and industrial plumbers will walk you through the benefits of rainwater harvesting.
If you need rainwater plumbing solutions, simply contact Jason’s Plumbing today.
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