Landscaping Advice

STORE & SAVE

Annual cost of house & garden products: $2,800
Annual cost of filling the car with petrol: $2,800
Annual cost of accessing mains water: $320
Freedom to use water when you like: PRICELESS

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

Back in the day, having a water tank on your property was as Australian as sitting down to a Sunday roast. It was as iconic as the Hills Hoist and the Holden sedan – and just as valued. Regardless of whether people lived in the outback or on the coast, families happily embraced the benefits of harvesting their own water to use at will around the house and garden.

But then came consumerism and, in awe of all things automated, we quickly adapted to getting our daily water fix with the simple turn of a tap. Here was this plentiful supply of fresh water, and it hardly cost us a thing.

Fast-forward a couple of decades and Australians are having to face the harsh reality of living with water restrictions – that is, of course, unless you own a water tank.

PURE RAINWATER

Did you know that South Australia, the country’s driest state, has the highest rate of rainwater tank usage? More than half of the households have one, and for more than a third of the population it’s their main source of drinking water. Makes you wonder why so many of us living in Melbourne and Sydney, where rainfall is more plentiful, are reluctant to reap in the benefits of owning a tank.

Have you ever tasted fresh rainwater? Free from fluoride and chloride, it has an unmistakable flavour that many say is ‘softer’ than mains water. It’s also much lower in salinity, which can significantly reduce the corrosion of in-house appliances, like your kettle, iron, water purification filter and hot water service, not to mention reducing salt levels in your garden soil.

And if you remember Sydney’s water contamination crisis in 1998, you’ll understand the benefits of having a secondary back-up supply should there be a problem with the mains.

PEACE OF MIND

Imagine having your own personal supply to wash the car at will or water those stunning new exotics you planted around the swimming pool. Install a water tank and life’s little luxuries, like maintaining a healthy lawn and garden landscape, will be yours to enjoy again.

Used correctly, rainwater tanks are an effective way to reduce demand on the mains water supply, help manage stormwater run-off and reduce the cost of your water bill.

Before deciding on the size and type of tank for your home and garden, we advise consulting your local council about planning and building requirements. While tanks with a capacity of 10, 000 litres or less generally don’t need council approval, they may be subject to certain government requirements.

The tank capacity you need depends on what you want to use it for, the size of your household and garden, your roof area and the annual rainfall in your region.

Most places stock broad number of poly water tanks – ranging from 1,000-7,200 litre capacity – along with all the necessary accessories. The larger the tank, the more rainwater can be captured for use during dry periods so to ensure there’s always storage capacity available when it rains, it’s best to use the water in the tank on a daily basis.

SAVE MONEY WITH REBATES

Regardless of where you live in Melbourne or Sydney, rainwater tanks have numerous advantages. Even in urban areas where a reticulated service is available, rainwater tanks help conserve valuable drinking water and reduce stormwater run-off.

Sydney Water has a Rainwater Tank Rebate Program offering customers big discounts on installation. Connect the tank to an internal toilet and/or washing machine and you’ll get a bigger rebate. Find out how you can quality for this and other Sydney Water rebates by visiting www.sydneywater.com.au

Melbourne residents can save money on water saving products, like tanks and low flow showerheads, with the Water Smart Gardens and Homes Rebate Scheme. Get involved by logging onto www.ourwater.vic.gov.au

(By Veda Dante, www.vedadante.com)