Rainwater harvesting systems: Info & Maintenance

In this article, JoJo Tanks elaborates on the benefits of rainwater harvesting and some preventative maintenance tips for your water tank and system. Polyethylene tanks or ‘plastic’ tanks are generally very easy to maintain and the small effort required to do so, will ensure the tanks remain in good serviceable condition for many years.

Benefits of a Rainwater Harvesting System

• Allows you to become more self-sufficient
• You’ll save money in the long term.
• It reduces flooding around your property.
• Rainwater is better for your garden as it has a balanced pH and is free of chemicals such as chlorine.
• Rainwater can and should be your preferred choice for toilet flushing, the washing machine and the dishwater. These items are water guzzlers and you will reduce municipal water consumption significantly
• Once your system is installed, rainwater is a free abundant water source.
• Correctly installed systems and water tanks are easy to maintain.
• Rainwater harvesting systems may increase property values during times of drought or water shortages.
• Up to 86% of your household water needs can be met using rainwater.
• A 100m2 roof can easily allow you to capture 60000 litres in a year.
• JoJo Tanks carry an 8-year warranty and are subjected to rigorous testing to ensure that they offer guaranteed quality and the ability to store the heavy water loads required.

Preventative maintenance for your system & rain water tanks

• Rooftops used for water harvesting should be cleaned regularly to avoid contamination of the runoff. During dry weather, dust, leaves, animal excrement and dead insects would accumulate on the roof. Make sure that you clean your roof before the rainy season starts followed by a monthly check to ensure it remains clean.
• Check that branches overhanging your roof are regularly trimmed back and that your gutter is free from leaves – consider installing gutter mesh.
• Regularly check your rainwater pre-filtration device/s to ensure that it is free from leaves and that rainwater can pass through.
• If you have a basket filter in the lid of your water tank (which we recommend) you need to clean it on a monthly basis.
• If you have a first flush diverter (which we recommend) please check and clean it out on a monthly basis.
• Inspect the inside of the water tank every 3 months to make sure that leaf litter is not built up on the bottom of your tank. A properly designed system should not allow leaves and other material to get into your water tanks.
• If you have installed an externally mounted pressure pump, it must have a cover to protect it from all weather conditions.
• Check to see if your pressure pump is switching on and off intermittently for no reason. Do this on a monthly basis. (You will hear the pump switching on and off). This may indicate a small water leak and can be easily remedied.
• If you have any filters installed before or after your pressure pump and/ or water tank then please ensure you clean or replace them as per your installer and manufacturer recommendations.
• If you have a UV light installed replace the globe as per your installer and manufacturer recommendations.
• Generally check all fittings and pipework connections at least every 3 months for leaks and signs of damage.
• If you do check your water tank and find mosquito larvae inside, they need to be removed. The best method is to drain the water tank and do a thorough clean out.
• Make sure that your overflow is mosquito proof by insisting that your installer includes a mozzie block at installation
• Please remember that untreated water is unsafe to drink. If your installer has placed the correct filters in place, and you have followed the maintenance regime correctly, this water should be safe to drink. If you do not have a water filtration system in place and need to drink this water in an emergency we recommend boiling the water and keeping it at a rolling boil for at least a minute before drinking. If
  you’d like to regularly use your rainwater for drinking purposes please consult an installer with experience in installing water filtration systems.

Source: www.jojotanks.co.za

The wide range of polyethylene water tanks, chemical tanks, septic tanks, underground tanks, silo tanks and other products, including steel tank stands, have been manufactured specifically for South Africa’s climate and conditions; click on the links below for more information about JoJo Tanks products.

JoJo Tanks South Africa offer a wide range of products such as plastic water tanks and chemical tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need, including silo tanks and silo tank stands as well as other high quality JoJo Tanks products.  See JoJo Tanks’ VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS (transporter tanks), STEEL TANK STANDS and OTHER JOJO PRODUCTS and see JoJo Tanks’ NEW 6000 LITRE UNDERGROUND TANKS. Also see our FAQ and WATER TANK PRICES.