Catching and using rainwater can be as simple as a single plastic barrel with a gravity feed to a flower bed, or they can be sophisticated systems that supply all your water needs.As a relatively dry country, the water problem in South Africa is exacerbated by an average annual rainfall of about 464mm, compared to a world average of about 860mm. Additionally South African rainfall tends to be concentrated in certain areas falling inconsistently throughout the year and is stored in very expensive dams remote from the concentration of consumers, which ultimately leads to expensive pipelines and pumping costs.
The cost of water in South Africa is not that high so we tend to be wasteful. There are indications, however, that water will become more expensive and there may simply not be enough water to meet the country’s future needs and the need to save water will be forced upon us. Every South African should therefore become savvy about rainwater harvesting and rainwater tanks.
For the homeowner, collecting rainwater is just one of the ways to make a home more sustainable – by harvesting and storing rain water in water tanks for irrigation, washing the car (or the dog), filling the swimming pool, even bathing and drinking if properly filtered.
In addition to conserving an increasingly scarce resource, rainwater collection also helps reduce storm runoff – a growing problem caused by the acres of concrete and other impermeable surfaces that go along with booming housing or commercial development.
One of the main benefits of a rain barrel or rainwater tank is to reduce the amount of storm water runoff. Typically rain water flows off roofs, driveways, parking lots and other “impervious surfaces” into storm drains, which discharge either into community sewer systems or into nearby streams. In the first case, rain over-burdens sewers, leading to overflows, and rushing storm water can erode stream banks, introduce pollutants and ruin habitat for fish and other aquatic life in rivers and streams.
A second benefit of rainwater tanks is for your wallet. You can use water captured in rain barrels to irrigate your lawn and garden, saving on monthly water bills. In drier months and water-stressed regions, or during droughts, this water-conservation technique may be a necessity, given the imperative to conserve water.
A rainwater-collection system can be as simple as a rain barrel or water tank at the end of a downspout or as elaborate as a whole-house system. Cost and complexity depend on how much water you need and how you plan to use it.
A simple system is adequate for landscaping needs, but cost, complexity, and maintenance increase if you’re planning to drink rainwater or pipe it into the house.
When people think of green building, they often think of the more obvious elements such as energy efficiency and environmentally friendly materials. Often the less obvious – and in fact more important components – such as water use reduction, water efficient landscaping and storm water management are overlooked. Additionally, networked systems of water supply and sanitation are becoming more difficult because of the major investments required to repair and replace ageing infrastructure. Water scarcity, the benefits of adjusting water quality to needs and the concern for making better use of available resources, all argue that water supply services should be adaptable, resilient and flexible.
A house with a sloped roof, gutters, and downspouts is well on its way to harvesting rainwater for landscape irrigation or other non-potable uses. You just need a few simple components: wire-mesh gutter screens to keep out debris, a water storage tank, and a way to move the water out of the water tank.
Water tanks are available in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes to suit every need and environment and include vertical and horizontal water tanks.
When installing a rainwater harvesting system make sure you have the correct tank stand. You need to consider the size of the water tank you require and how much it will weigh when filled with water. The water tank stand has to be able to support the weight. Naturally the bigger the water tank the bigger the weight so it is crucially important to install or construct your water tank stand correctly. A water tank stand could simply consist of a solid and level concrete slab or you can purchase either a timber or a steel tank stand.
Rain barrels can be attractive, and can even be built to prevent mosquito breeding.
Source: www.home-dzine.co.za (via Property 24)
Rainwater harvesting systems should become an integral part of all suitable buildings as there is no better way to obtain free water and save the environment too. Smaller water tanks can be installed on nothing more than a levelled section of earth although a cement base is preferable. Larger water tanks need to be installed on very sturdy concrete slabs and preferably engineer-certified steel tank stands, as manufactured by JoJo Tanks in South Africa, see water tank stands available here.
JoJo Tanks South Africa offer a wide range of plastic water tanks and chemical tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need. See JoJo Tanks VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS, STEEL TANK STANDS and OTHER JOJO PRODUCTS. Also 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 guarantee on these water tanks make JoJo products the best choice in South Africa. 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.
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