A useful article which outlines just about every consideration required for installing water tanks and rainwater harvesting systems.
Do your research before making a purchase. Here are some tips on what you should do before buying.
1 Find out whether you are entitled to any local council or federal government rebates and check for all mandatory requirements. For example, to be eligible for a rebate you may be required to connect the water tank to your laundry or a toilet, or to have your water tank installed by a licensed plumber.
2 Check if there are any council regulations about where you may put your water tanks. For example, in some areas there is a minimum distance from the side property boundary.
3 There may be other mandatory installation requirements, such as mosquito-proof screens, stormwater connection and the fitting of a first flush diverter.
4 Decide whether you need a pump and if so, how you will connect it to your electricity supply.
Tank prices vary depending on type, size and materials.
Additional costs to consider include:
1 transportation
2 installation
3 alterations to guttering and downpipes
4 tank stand or foundation
5 additional plumbing
6 ongoing maintenance.
Rainwater tanks are available in a wide range of sizes. Smaller tanks, suitable for townhouses and small gardens, start at less than 1000 litres. Most domestic use water tanks are around 3000 to 5000 litres. Rebates may vary based on water tank size, so check to see what level of rebate applies to the water tank you are considering.
This will depend on your individual water usage, the size of your block, your local climate and the type of garden you have. Some advisors recommend at least 3000 litres for a small garden, and 5000 litres for a larger block. As a guide, running your hose at maximum capacity can use up to 20 litres per minute, so a full 1000 litre tank will provide around 50 minutes of hosing.
Aim for the largest water tank you can accommodate in the space available. It may be easier to fit two smaller water tanks than a single large water tank.
Also think about the pattern of rainfall in your district. Do you need to store enough water for a 10-month dry spell or do you receive rainfall on a more regular basis?
Most water tanks are made from either polythene or metal, and the choice of material is largely a matter of personal preference. Both types are available in a wide range of colours, shapes and sizes.
Consider the different tank accessories available.
Select a position that will collect water from the largest possible roof area. If possible, find a location where you can connect more than one downpipe to your water tank.
Make sure the water tank won’t restrict access to the garden or block views and is aesthetically acceptable (please consider the neighbours’ perspective as well).
Also consider the weight of the water tank when full—for example, a water tank should not be placed on top of a retaining wall. Check your local council regulations to ensure building approvals are not required.
You will need a base for the water tank, which needs to be slightly larger than the tank diameter. Water tank stands can also be considered. You can build this yourself or have your installer do it for you. A sturdy solution for a base is a reinforced 10 cm concrete slab. The slab can be square or round and should always be at least 10 cm larger than the diameter of the rainwater tank. A timber frame could also be used. Choose termite-resistant or treated timber. The frame is usually filled with crusher dust or concrete, to prevent subsidence. This is important, because if the water tank is not level, the weight of the water will make it lean to the side and become unstable. The overflow pipe should be connected to the stormwater outlet.
You will probably need a water pump to get a good water flow from your rain water tank. The only case where this is not needed is if you have a high enough tank for gravity feed to provide adequate water pressure. In most cases if you want to connect an irrigation system, or even a hose, you will need a pump.
When buying a water pump you should:
Don’t be afraid to use your water tank water, especially if top-up rain is predicted. If you know rain is coming, water your garden so that the coming rain will be better able to penetrate into the soil. It’s also a good idea to use wetting agents before rain if your soil has become water repellent or hasn’t been wet for a while.
Remember:
Once a rainwater tank is installed it is recommended that the following maintenance be carried out.
First flush device—check that it is working effectively and clean if necessary.
Source: Waterwise (edited)
Looking for a top quality polyethylene water tank in South Africa? We recommend poly water tanks, chemical tanks and other products manufactured by JoJo Tanks; see below for more information.
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.
JoJo’s superior polyethylene plastic water tanks and steel water tank stands make JoJo Tanks the leaders in plastic water tank technology and the quality, affordability and 8-year guarantee on these water tanks make JoJo products one of the best choices in South Africa. *All JoJo Tanks polyethylene tanks and products now carry a 8 year warranty (on tanks purchased on or after 1 July 2013)* JoJo’s water tanks and chemical tanks come standard with a number of features that are often lacking on cheaper/inferior plastic tanks made by other companies in South Africa.
We are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers in South Africa and dispatch orders directly from JoJo Tank depots to save on transport costs. Full range of JoJo Tanks products and JoJo water tanks for sale. CONTACT US for a quote on the right JoJo water tank or other JoJo product for you. Special discounts are available on multiple orders of chemical tanks and water tanks and to our commercial and government customers. We can usually delivery tanks and tank stands free of charge to business/commercial addresses in South Africa.
SPECIAL ON MULTIPLE ORDERS OF 10000 litre, 15000 litre & 20000 litre JOJO WATER TANKS AND CHEMICAL TANKS…CONTACT US FOR A FREE QUOTE!