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Planning Regulations | Government Rebates | Underground Tanks | Slimline Space Savers
Round Tanks | Guttering and Pumps 

Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth yet its inhabitants waste and pollutes vast quantities of water every day. Rainwater harvesting and storage by Australian households is a relatively inexpensive way to help 'drought-proof' the nation but Australian Governments have been slow to realise and support this.

Planning Regulations Affecting 
Installation of Rainwater Tanks 

Before doing anything, it is advisable to find out what the local planning controls are regulating the installation of a rainwater tank in your area - these can vary widely from state to state and within states at a Local Council level. You need to contact your local council for details.

Several States now offer a rebate to help you install a rain water tank (ask your water authority for details on rebates) and the amount of rainwater you can harvest from your roof and the cost of installing it varies according to:

  • where you live

  • how many people live in your home  

  • how self-sufficient you want to be for rainwater and 

  • what you want to do with it. 

Regulation of Rainwater Tank Installations In NSW has been greatly assisted by a new State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP4) which allows for a system up to 10,000 litres to be installed provided a number of conditions are met  - the key ones being:

  • the tank must not exceed 2.4 metres in height above ground level, including any stand for the tank

  • the tank must be located at least 450 millimetres from any property boundary

  • the tank must be fitted with a first flush device.

(see SEPP 4 for more details). 

Government rebates for the installation of Rainwater tanks

Sydney Water rainwater tank rebate

Sydney Water offers the following rebates for installation of Rainwater tanks in the greater Sydney region:

Tank Size (litres)

Rainwater Tank Rebate
2000-3000 $150 tank rebate - plus $300 if a toilet and/or washing machine is connected to the rainwater tank
4,000 - 6,999 $400 tank rebate - plus $300* if a toilet and/or washing machine is connected to the rainwater tank
7,000 + $500 tank rebate - plus $300* if a toilet and/or washing machine is connected to the rainwater tank

See the Sydney Water website for more details

Queensland Residential rainwater tank rebate

The Queensland Government offers the following rebates for the installation of rainwater tanks (see the Brisbane Water website for more details)

  • $500 - rainwater tank/s equal to or more than 3,000 litres
  • $750 - rainwater tank/s equal to or more than 5,000 litres

Rainwater can aid self-sufficiency, providing a back-up supply in case of water restrictions caused by drought, peak supply shortages, or water quality problems. Rainwater, being chlorine free, can provide a better quality potable supply than mains, bore or dam water. Rainwater tanks can also provide cost-effective on-site detention of stormwater.

Reticulated (i.e. mains) water use can be reduced by 50 to 100 percent in urban areas with the aid of rainwater tanks. This can help to:

  • Reduce the need for new dam construction
  • Protect remaining environmental flows in rivers
  • Reduce infrastructure operating costs
  • Reduce the energy used in pumping water, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

In areas with reticulated water supply the main disadvantage of installing a rainwater tank is the financial cost. This is particularly the case if your water supplier charges a fixed charge for the centralised supply service, regardless of whether or not you use it.

Costs of rainwater tanks vary considerably depending on the tank material, and installation and delivery requirements. Regular maintenance, such as checking and cleaning gutters, is required. Health risks can arise If this is not carried out.

RAINWATER TANK SOLUTIONS

Team Poly Tanks

Team Poly is the largest rotational moulder in the southern hemisphere, employing over 150 staff, drawing on a network comprising over 1100 agents to distribute quality product throughout Australia.

Team Poly is the only Australian Rotational Moulding Company to offer professional in-house design, fabrication and pattern making capabilities, this ensures products are built to market needs while maximizing manufacturing productivity.

Based in Adelaide, South Australia, Team Poly's central location offers effective Australia wide distribution utilizing the company's fleet of 40 purpose built trucks and trailer.

Team Poly is committed to working toward fully absorbing all emissions of carbon dioxide emitted in the course of manufacture and distribution of its product. This will be primarily achieved through planting of 200,000 trees over the next four years.

Underground Detention & Retention Tanks

A) Underground Detention & Retention Tanks

KEY BENEFITS

Cheaper installation than standard concrete underground tanks - these low profile tanks have been cleverly designed to allow cheaper underground storage or storage in shallow soils whilst ensuring the tank can handle traffic by vehicles up to 4 tonnes at a depth of just 1 metre.

Modular Storage System - each tank provides a healthy 2,000 litre storage and can be installed in a battery arrangement to achieve much larger systems.

Multiple Uses – these tanks are suitable for use in providing water for flushing toilets, garden irrigation, stormwater retention & detention.

Sizes & Prices (includes GST – excludes delivery)       

2,000 flat base (3070L x 1700W x 1000H)

§   Needs to be located on a concrete slab

§   Non-vehicle bearing

3,000 litre Donut
 Vehicle bearing

5,000 litre Bagel
 Vehicle bearing

Donut Dimensions

Height      1245mm

Diameter  2400mm

Capacity   3000L

Weight     210kg

Bagel Dimensions

Height       1245mm

Width        2400mm

Length      3700mm

Capacity   5000L

Weight      340kg

Accessories:

§   Combination Kits to interconnect two tanks to achieve 6,000lt, 8,000lt and 10,000lt capacity

§   Adjustable riser (if required)

Pump, Interconnect or Top-up systems:

§   Aquasource inline external pump 50 litre/min & mains interchange unit

§   Aquasource submersible pump & mains interchange unit

§   Raintronic submersible pump – solenoid operated inter-connected with sub diver 45

Features

§   Super strong construction

§   No necessity to use adjustable risers

§   Self Cleaning 100mm in-line filter

§   Child safety bars incorporated into inlet

§   Lockable lid

§   Up to 4 x 25mm connections for water out, water in, electricity & air vent for interconnection

§   Use of 4 x 90 mm threaded interconnection points

§   Flat based sump for pump

§   Designed to fit into a 100mm concrete slab

§   Vehicle bearing due to unique central column design

 

The Low profile of the Donut and Bagel tanks:

§   Does not exceed Workcover’s 1.5meter guidelines for working at depth

§   Shallow slit trench minimises need for heavy equipment

§   Shallow excavation minimises the chances of hitting rock

§   Excavating  top soil minimises the need to remove soil off site     

§   Installation instructions link to soil types as stated in AS2870

§   Installation instructions prepared by Connell Wagner Pty Ltd

§   Installation accreditation program to be conducted by the Green Plumbers

Slimline Space Saving Tanks

Team Poly Slimline Tanks

  • Slim design ideal for side paths or areas with narrow access (one Piece Moulding)
  • Can be used as partitions or privacy screens
  • Mini corrugated profile or smooth sided for attractive appearance
  • Units can be linked end to end
  • Steel hoops for minimum wall distortion
  • Easy to clean design
  • Optional Wall Mount Rainbank Kit with submersible Davey Pump

Davey Rainbank wall mounted for easy installation and servicing. Davey D42A/B submersible pump with 130lpm and Max. total head of 32m.

Slimline Water Tanks
Model
Litres
Width
Height
Depth
1140L Slimline 1140 1.80 m 1.57 m 0.50 m
1140L Slimline Stand N/A 1.83 m 0.54 m 0.66 m
3 Module Slimline
1500
1.80 m
2.00 m
 0.50 m
4 Module Slimline
2500
2.40 m
2.00 m
 0.60 m
4 Module Slimline - Flat Sided 2500 2.40 m 2.00 m 0.60 m
3 Module Slimline - Flat Sided 2000 1.95 m 2.00 m 0.60 m

For houses with limited space, you may wish to consider installing a slimline tank. These tanks can store up to 4,000 litres of water and can be easily installed along the side or at the rear of your home.

The tanks are made from high quality BHP steel and come in either a plain galvanised or BHP colorbond finish (available in a wide range of colours). The tanks are internally lined with non-toxic, food grade plastic to ensure that the quality of water stored in the tank is not contaminated.

Round Tanks

PictureIf space is not an issue and you are seeking larger water storage, then a round tank is the most cost-effective solution. Round tanks generally come in either a poly plastic or corrugated steel and come in sizes up to 20,000 litres.

 

Corrugated Water Tanks
Dimensions (metres)
Litres Gallons (Approx.) Dia. Wall Ht. Total Ht.
545 120 0.70 2 ‘4” 1.60 5’ 3” 1.70 5’ 7”
900 Corr. 200 1.15 3’ 9” 1.02 3’ 4” 1.12 3’ 8”
1000 Brk 220 Brk 0.90 3’ 0” 1.82 6’ 0” 2.02 6’ 8”
1600 350 1.22 4’ 0” 1.52 5’ 0” 1.72 5’ 8”
2300 Sqt 500 Sqt 1.72 5’ 8” 1.23 4’ 0” 1.33 4’ 4”
2700 600 1.44 4’ 9” 1.81 5’11” 2.04 6’ 8”
4500 1000 1.83 6’ 0” 1.90 6’ 3” 2.12 6’11”
4500 Sqt 1000 Sqt 2.25 7’ 5” 1.35 4’ 5” 1.55 5’ 1”
5400 1200 2.00 6’ 7” 1.91 6’ 3” 2.19 7’ 2”
8000 1800 2.35 7’ 8” 1.92 6” 4” 2.20 7’ 3”
9000 2000 2.57 8’ 5” 2.05 6’ 9” 2.30 7’ 5”
9000 Sqt* 2000 Sqt* 2.89 9’ 6” 1.45 4’ 9” 1.87 6’ 1”
13500** 3000** 2.92 9’ 7” 2.24 7’ 4” 2.46 8” 1”
22000*** 5000*** 3.53 11’ 7” 2.44 8’ 0” 2.67 8’ 9”
22000 Sqt*** 5000 Sqt*** 3.73 12’ 3” 2.27 7’ 5” 2.58 8’ 6”
27000*** 6000*** 3.94 12’11” 2.51 8’ 3” 2.80 9’ 2”
44000 Combo *** 10000 Combo *** (combination of 2 x 5000 gallon tanks)
44000 Combo *** 10000 Combo *** (combination of 2 x 5000 gallon squat tanks)
54000 Combo *** 12000 Combo *** (combination of 2 x 6000 gallon tanks)

* requires 1 person plus driver to unload
**requires 2 people plus driver to unload
***requires 3 people plus driver to unload

Features

  • Manufactured from U.V. stabilised, food grade polyethylene
  • Corrugated for traditional style, strength & durability - 25yr Pro-rata Warranty
  • Large range of colours
  • Lid has base and plumbing instructions moulded in
  • Lid with 2 x 90mm knockouts

Steel tanks can be supplied in a range of colours or in plain galvanised steel and come with a 20 year product guarantee.    

Guttering and Pumps

When installing a rainwater tank, thought must be given to the guttering as the quality of water entering your rain tank is greatly affected by what sits in your gutters and lands on your roof.

If you are replacing your guttering or building a new home, it is worth investing in the new forms of guttering now available like Smartflo - an Australian made product and innovation - to help limit the amount of debris that enters your tap, a first flush device is a good idea to help remove solids that get down your gutter.

Pumps

A pump may be required if you need to distribute the stored rainwater over a wide area, uphill, to flush a toilet or via reticulated watering systems. Pumps need to be located away from bedrooms and living areas or made quieter with an acoustic sound proofing cover - we can advise you on all these issues with a site visit and consultation       

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