With water restrictions getting tighter each year, it
makes sense to install a
rain water tank
in your home to take advantage of mother nature's precious resources.
Rainwater run-off from your roof can be stored in a
rainwater
tank and can provide a valuable source of water for flushing toilets,
washing machines, watering gardens and washing cars. Don’t pour your money
down the drain! Help to save Sydney’s most precious resource WATER!
Sydney Water stipulates that you must have your
rain water
storage tank installed by a qualified Sydney Plumber and Dr Drip are experts in installing rainwater tanks to your internal
plumbing system.
10 Easy Ways To Save Water
1)
Remember to turn off the tap while brushing your teeth - A
running tap wastes over 6 litres per minute. If the entire adult population of Australia remembered to do this, we could save 50 mega litres a day – enough to supply nearly 200,000 homes.
2)
A
dripping tap wastes at least 5,500 litres of water a year -
Thats enough water wasted to fill a paddling pool every week for the
whole summer. Mending your dripping tap washer could save you over
$40 per year.
3)
Hand-washing dishes typically uses about 63 litres per session -
If those dishes are rinsed off under a running tap the total water
used averages 150 litres. In comparison, a modern dishwasher can use
as little as 15 litres of water per cycle. But make sure that you
fill the dishwasher or you'll be wasting even more than if you were
to wash up by hand. If your in the market for a new dishwasher, look
for the energy efficiency 'A' rated machines since these usually
waste the least amount of water. If you take a closer look at the
energy label, it actually does tell you how much water the machine
uses.
4)
A bath
can use up a lot of water (over 100 litres!) - While a shower
only uses a third of that amount. But beware since many
power-showers actually use more than a bath if you shower for more
than 5 minutes. If your the die-hard-tub type, you can minimise you
water use by reusing your bathwater to water your houseplants or
garden.
5)
Before
starting your washing machine, wait for a full load - A full
load uses less water than two half loads; so, you'll be able to save
money on energy and water. Just like dishwashers, washing machines
labelled 'A' on energy efficiency tend to be more water efficient.
6)
Fill a
jug with tap water and leave it to cool in your fridge - This
way you don't have to run the tap for ages just to get a cold drink.
7)
Rather
than washing your car with a running hosepipe, try using a bucket
and sponge instead - Better still, fill the bucket with rain water
from your water tank. Just 30 minutes with a hosepipe will use more
water than the average family uses in a day. Using a bucket will
give your car a much more precise wash.
8)
About a
quarter of all clean, drinkable water we use in our homes is flushed
down the toilet - If you're in the market for a new loo,
consider buying a water efficient toilet or one with a dual flush.
If your loo is still as good as new, put a hippo or other
displacement device into the cistern to save some water.
9)
By
washing your fruits and veg in a bowl rather than under a running
tap, you could cut down on water waste effortlessly - As an
added bonus, you can use the leftover water to feed your
houseplants.
10)
By
using a shower timer - You can increase your awareness of the
amount of time you spend in the shower. Try taking shorter showers
to reduce the amount of water you use.
An ideal and sustainable water supply:
Dr Peter Coombes of the University of Newcastle in Australia, heads a
research team in the area of rainwater quality. Following over a decade of
research into the quality of rainwater collected from roofs, Dr Coombes has
identified the potential for rainwater to be utilised far more extensively
than many government regulators are recommending. In fact Dr Coombes'
research reinforces the view of many Australians, that rainwater is an ideal
supply for our water requirements.
Stan Abbott is the Director of the Roof Water Research Centre and a Senior
Lecturer in Microbiology & Communicable Diseases at Massey University in
Wellington, New Zealand. Stan's research highlights the importance of
incoorporating good design features into rainwater harvesting systems.
Whilst there are large losses of water in water catchment systems such as
dams, rainwater tanks harvest water efficiently during droughts and reduce
demand on water supply reservoirs. There is more rainfall in urban areas and
minimal water is lost from the roof to the tank.
Rainwater tanks complement mains water supply infrastructure. Rainwater
tanks are underutilized if water is only used for irrigation. Maximum
benefit occurs when rainwater is used for indoor + outdoor uses.
The quality of rainwater is ensured by a natural treatment chain in the tank
that reduces the presence of bacterial and metal contaminants. Bacteria,
organics and chemicals form flocs that become biofilms on surfaces or settle
to the bottom of the tanks to the sludge. The processes of flocculation,
settlement and biofilms in tanks act to improve the quality of rainwater.
The majority of bacteria in rainwater tanks are harmless and from the
environment.
The quality of rainwater was acceptable for hot water, toilet, laundry and
outdoor uses. The rainwater treatment train was confirmed, AND the use of
rainwater reduced mains water demand by 54%.
Water quality monitoring has shown effective pasteurization of rainwater in
hot water systems. Rainwater used in hot water systems set at >52°C was
compliant with Australian drinking water standards. Hot water systems
pasteurize water removing bacteria.
Separation of the first flush of rainwater from the roof and gutters will
improve tank water quality.
Rainwater tanks reduced stormwater volumetric discharges by 39%.
Cost of rainwater varied from $0.3 kL to a benefit of $0.39 kL (considerably
less than mains water).
Extensive analysis of literature and research revealed that health concerns
about rainwater tanks was significantly overstated. You are more likely to
contract illness from drinking mains water compared to rainwater. Stan Abbott
The risk of disease arising from roof-collected rainwater consumption can be
low, providing that the water is visibly clear, has little taste or smell
and, most importantly, the storage and collection of rainwater is via a
properly maintained tank and roof catchment system.
Studies have often shown deficiencies in the use of rainwater catchment
systems and components cited include: lack of maintenance; inadequate
disinfection of the water; poorly designed delivery systems and storage
tanks; and, failure to adopt physical measures to safeguard the water
against microbiological contamination.
A range of enteric pathogens has been found in roof-collected rainwater
including Salmonella, Campylobacter, Giardia and Cryptosporidium. The likely
sources of these pathogens were faecal material deposited by birds, frogs,
rodents and possums, and dead animals and insects, either in the gutters or
in the water tank itself.
Rainwater users can reduce their risks of disease from contaminated
rainwater consumption by regular maintenance and using a well-designed
system.
Regular maintenance should include:
Keeping roof catchments clean and clear of moss, lichen, debris and
leaves;
Cutting back trees and branches that overhang roofs;
Regular inspections and, if necessary, cleaning of gutters;
Cleaning gutter and tank inlets and screens every 3–4 months;
Disinfecting the supply, if tank contamination is apparent;
Inspecting tanks annually and cleaning them out if necessary; and
Testing the water periodically.
Good design features should include:
A clean, impervious roof made from non-toxic material;
The absence of lead flashings or lead-based paints;
A course filter and first flush device to intercept water entering tank
and gutter guards / screens;
Wire mesh (screens) to cover all tank inlets;
A covered and light-proof tank;
Tank taps or draw-off pipes that are at least 100 mm above the tank floor
(Alternatively, a floating arm draw-off valve);
A tank floor which slopes towards the sump and washout pipe; and
A well-covered manhole for easy access and inspection.
Other research
Roof-collected rainwater can be made safe and potable so that it complies
with strict international drinking water standards (Waller & Inman, 1982;
Gould & McPherson, 1987). This is especially true when measures such as tank
cleaning and the use of first flush diverters and coarse rainwater filters
are undertaken.
In South Australia 42% of residents mostly drink rainwater in preference to
their mains water without any apparent effect on the incidence of
gastrointestinal illness (Heyworth et al. 1998). To investigate the
relationship between tank rainwater consumption and gastroenteritis in South
Australia, a prevalence survey of 9,500 four year-old children was
undertaken and this was followed up with a longitudinal cohort study of
gastroenteritis among 1000 four to six-year-old children, selected on the
basis of their tank rainwater consumption (Heyworth, 2001). This study found
that in South Australia, children drinking tank rainwater were not at a
greater risk of gastroenteritis than children drinking public mains water.
In fact, the data suggest that those children drinking treated public mains
water were at an increased risk of gastroenteritis.
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