Australia is a comparatively dry, arid country, with the possibility of drought never far away. It's also a large country with a widespread population. Servicing that entire population with running water is an expensive process, and can place pressure on our water reservoirs, particularly during dry seasons and drought.

Harvesting rainwater might seem self explanatory - water run-off is collected from the roof and stored in tanks for use around the home and garden - but it helps to know why it's important, and how using rainwater can benefit ourselves and our local communities. It's also good to know who to get in touch with if you need assistance installing a rainwater tank, and it's worth considering the whole property when upgrading your system to include rainwater collection.

Advantages of using rainwater

While the long-term environmental benefits of using rainwater are obvious, there are a number of advantages to using rainwater in the everyday maintenance of the home and property that will reap rewards right away.

Reduced bills

It goes without saying that rainwater is free. Nobody owns it and you won’t get a bill for using it! So collecting rainwater on your property and using it appropriately can save you money otherwise spent on tap water.

Consider the garden. If you live in an area where there might be water restrictions (and in Australia, that's just about everywhere), you can maintain a healthy garden year round without cutting into your other water supplies. You can also feel good about doing it, knowing that you're participating in a low impact, environmentally friendly water collection process.

Positive impact on local storm water system

Capturing rainwater can also positively impact the stormwater system. During heavy rainfall, stormwater drainage systems can overload. By collecting roof run-off, you're doing your part by ensuring that water is used locally instead of flushed into local stormwater systems - meaning less chance of blocked drains and flooding.

In the larger scope of things, the more rainwater that is collected, the less need there is to create dams and reservoirs, minimising the impact on environmentally sensitive areas and improving the water network.

What can rainwater be used for?

Rainwater can be used for:

• Toilet flushes


• Garden watering


• Laundry and cleaning


• The backyard pool


• Cleaning the cars

It's even possible to use rainwater in rural areas for domestic use and forgo mains supply entirely.

Installing a rainwater tank

A rainwater tank is a pretty simple system to use, after all, rainwater collection has been happening around the world for thousands of years. However, the setup and installation can require careful planning. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, and there are a number of considerations to take into account both for new and existing homes.

Considerations in choosing a water tank

Choosing the right tank requires several considerations, including the shape and size of the roof, the average rainfall in the area, and the known performance of tanks of various sizes and brands.

A roof that is prone to collecting detritus might need a first flush device installed to ensure no dirt enters the tank. Other considerations include ground run-off collections, light-proof tanks and non-toxic roof materials.

A certified plumber and water tank technician can utilise their experience as well as computer modelling technology to aid you in choosing the right water tank system.

Some interesting facts about rainwater tanks and rainwater systems

Though rainwater collecting is relatively new to the city and suburbs, collecting rainwater has been happening in rural Australia for a very long time. In fact, the water harvesting business is a $500 million a year industry. In South Australia research has found that "...42% of residents mostly drink rainwater in preference to their mains water without any apparent effect on the incidence of gastrointestinal illness".

There are two sorts of systems: 'wet' and 'dry'. Dry systems run the pipe directly from roof to tank, and wet systems are designed to troubleshoot larger pipe systems. Your plumber can advise which is the best option for your home.

What about drinking water from a rainwater system?

It is possible to collect safe drinking water from your rooftop provided a number of important conditions are met. Some of them, like the quality of the rainwater in your area, are out of your control. Others, like the type of tank and roofing materials used in the collection process, can be planned for when installing a rainwater collection system, or renovating or building a home.

We recommend using a licensed professional, as the requirements for collecting rainwater to drink are much stricter than for use around the house.

Changes in the way we live

Collecting rainwater for the home and garden is just part of a bigger movement towards more ecologically sustainable methods in living. This process is spurred by advances in technology, an increased population, and a need to plan for the future where changes in climate and conditions can drastically impact our quality of life.

Anyone building or renovating a home should consider not just rainwater collection, but other progressive technologies. Solar power is making great strides, while the way we light our homes electrically and naturally is also becoming more important. In this article on home décor, we look at the way natural lighting and the use of LED lights can help lower our electricity bills, and create the perfect home ambience.