How to Choose the Right Water Tank?

Did you know that Australians are the world's largest users of water per capita? However, we live in a dry country where annual rainfall is well below the global average. So it makes sense to capture as much rainwater as possible. Especially as 12.5% of Australia's total water use goes to homes and gardens - and we actually flush it down the toilet! Using rainwater tanks can save millions of liters of water each year. It's good for the environment, it's good for our infrastructure and it's good for our pockets when our water bills come in. Let's take a look at how to choose the right water tank for your home.

Step 1: Find out how much rainfall you can expect

Some areas receive more rainfall than others. The average rainfall in Victoria ranges from 200 mm to over 1000 mm per year. Knowing your rainfall patterns will give you an idea of how much rainfall you can reasonably expect. Check the historical average rainfall data for your area at the Bureau of Meteorology.

Step 2: Calculate your rainwater harvesting capacity

Each square meter of roof area collects 1 liter of water for every 1 mm of rainfall received. For example, if you have a roof area of 200 square meters, you can expect to harvest 100,000 liters of rain for every 500 millimeters of rainfall. To calculate the surface area of your roof, multiply its length by its width. Then multiply this figure by the average rainfall in your area. That's your rainwater harvesting capacity.

Step 3: Work out how much water you need

This involves considering what you will use the collected water for. Will you use it in your garden? If so, how big is your garden and how many times a week do you water it? In Victoria, gardens account for 25% to 50% of household water use. To maintain a lush green garden during the dry summer months, you need a minimum of a 4,000-5,000 liter water tank.

What about laundry rooms and bathrooms? How big is your family and how much water do they use for showers? How much water is used to do laundry each week?

 GRP Tanks     

A toilet can use up to 12 liters of water per flush, and the average person uses 210 liters of water per week just to use the toilet! Washing machines are also high water consumers, using between 50 liters and 150 liters of water per load depending on their efficiency level.

Step 4: Decide on the size of your water tank

After putting together the calculations in steps 1-3, you should have a good idea of how much rainwater you can collect depending on your area and roof size, and how much water your home needs.

Calculate how much water you need for your tank by counting the number of times your tank fills each year. At ASC Water Tanks, we recommend choosing a size that can hold at least a 4 week supply.

This process is not an exact science as rainfall can vary, but prove that you have chosen a tank size with a buffer for a dry year and you will be fine.

Step 5: Choose the location of the tank

The best place to put your tank is near a wall or fence, as long as it doesn't block any doors or paths. Your tank location needs to be a sturdy, level surface, as rainwater tanks can weigh several tonnes when full.

If you have plenty of yard space, around water tank is a good choice. If you are in an urban area with a smaller yard, a slender tank maybe your preferred tank type.

LANDYOUNG GRP Tanks can be installed at ground level, on top of or inside buildings, or on steel towers. Typical applications include municipalities, industrial users, agriculture, aquaculture, reservoirs, hotels, hospitals, offices, private homes, and other building complexes, as well as high volume long-term storage where regular piped supplies may not be available.

Installing an underground tank may also be something to consider, as they are the ultimate space saver. If you choose this option, you will need a pump to suck the water out of the tank and for domestic use. If your home is in a densely populated urban area, you could install a rainwater tank under your floor. This is a great way to make use of other wasted space. If you need help choosing the right tank for your property, we can help. If you want to get more information about the best GRP tanks, welcome to contact us today or request a quote.