Uses of rainwater from your rainwater tank

Rainwater tanks have historically been used as an essential means of supplying drinking water in many rural and remote parts of the world. The location, style, construction and use of rainwater tanks have changed significantly over time.

The use of rainwater tanks has become a major strategy to enhance water conservation, reduce the burden of water restrictions and address the increasingly dramatic impacts of drought and climate change.

Rainwater tanks now provide for a multitude of uses, including:

• drinking water • garden watering • toilet flushing • laundry usage • replenishing domestic pools or spas • car washing • supplying the hot water system • thermal buffers to insulate houses • ventilation for buildings • protecting homes from bushfires

While there is versatility in the uses of rainwater, there is also a corresponding risk. Microbiological quality is not as reliable as high quality mains water, particularly after rain events that follow long dry spells. The risk of contracting illness from rainwater supplied from well-maintained roof catchments and water tanks is very low, although it should be noted that the risk increases with less maintenance and cleaning, and in the absence of a first flush diverter. If in doubt about the microbiological quality of rainwater, the water should be either disinfected or boiled prior to use.

There are also a number of chemical risks associated with rainwater. For example, impacts from major industrial emissions may result in tank rainwater not being suitable for drinking and food preparation by particular vulnerable groups, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women and young children. Refer to local health authorities for further advice. The water quality requirements for non-potable uses of rainwater are lower than those for drinking water, while higher quality water may be required for some medical procedures, such as kidney dialysis.

Source: excerpt from enhealth’s “Guidance on use of Rainwater Tanks”

We recommend high quality poly water tanks made by JoJo Tanks in South Africa. JoJo water tanks are made from high quality, food-grade virgin polyethylene suitable for potable water storage. Click on the links below to view the various JoJo water tanks and more.

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.