1) Firstly check with your local Council and see Sydney Water link www.sydneywater.com.au (quick information drop down menu to rainwater tanks) for some useful information.
2) Consider exactly what you expect to be able to do with your rainwater i.e. Wash the car, hose the gardens, use a sprinkler on the lawn, flush the toilet, fill the washing machine etc. To achieve a reasonable amount of pressure to carry out these functions you will also need to install a pump system.
3) Investigate the tank size that you are considering before making a decision to install. Check the measurements of the tank and ensure that it can be carried down side passages, gates etc. See link www.irrigationwarehouse.com.au for all information on sizes and prices for above ground tanks. There are such a large variety of tank sizes and shapes one of these is sure to suit your needs. Once you have decided on a size either phone us to organise delivery and installation for you or have it delivered direct and we will install.
If contemplating an underground tank to minimise impact to property www.actiontanks.com.au will also provide important information and ideas. Action Rainwater Tanks provide an effective in ground system which we have been fully trained to install.
4) Size: If space is a problem, consider small tanks, i.e. Slim Line tanks and manifold 2 or 3 together to achieve your desired capacity. The tank capacity you need depends on what you want to use it for, the size of your household and garden, your roof area and the annual rainfall in your region. Your water authority may be able to help you work out the size you need. Rule of thumb is 100 sq mtrs of roof x 10mm of rainfall = 1000 ltr of water.
5) Tank final position must be at least 400mm from boundary fence lines and ensure that it will not obstruct windows etc.
• Sydney Water recommends a minimum tank size of 5000 L in an urban environment, if you want to use the water for toilet-flushing, the washing machine and in the garden (but not for drinking water), or a 2000 L one if you only have a small garden or connect to the toilet only.
Integration
Currently it is only permitted that internal use of rainwater inside the home is limited to clothes washing machines, taps and toilet cistern taps.
External taps must be separate dedicated lines from the tank supply and cannot be integrated to the existing water supply without modification.
GREY WATER RE-USE & INSTALLATION
What is Greywater? This is the used water from shower, hand basin, bath and laundry. NOT TOILET WATER.
1) A greywater diversion device: A simple device which is usually installed on the outlet waste pipe on the laundry tub. A by-pass unit allows you to manually divert the laundry water from the sewer system and into a sub-soil irrigation line. Some diversion systems have a simple filter to strain out the hair and lint that go down the drain. No treatment occurs and all harmful pathogens and chemicals remain in the diverted water.
STORAGE OR ABOVE GROUND IRRIGATION OF UNTREATED GREY WATER IS NOT PERMISSABLE.
2) Greywater treatment system: Greywater treatment plants are more sophisticated systems that remove the solids and pollutants and treat the water to the level required to obtain Accreditation from NSW Health. Nubian Water Systems’ OASIS GT600 is an attractive, modular above-ground greywater treatment system capable of treating the greywater from at least an 8 person house. The treatment process is continuous and chemical free. The treated water is clear and there are no odours from the system or the treated water which can be stored indefinitely. Processing is automatic and no intervention by the owner of the system is required. The system treats greywater at the rate of one litre per minute and can process up to 1,500 litres per day. The OASIS GT600 is accredited by NSW Health in the highest category of treated water quality, which means the treated water can be used for above ground irrigation, toilet flushing, as the cold water supply for clothes washing and car washing (subject to council approval). Visit our web site on www.nubian.com.au
SOLAR HOT WATER
Before deciding on solar ensure your home has the sunlight access i.e. is not restricted by neighbouring houses or trees that will prevent direct sunlight onto panels.
Systems can be either split i.e. tank storage on ground and panelling on the roof or full systems being tank and panels on the roof.
Heat pumps are an excellent option for homes unable to obtain full sun and a cheaper alternative to reduction in green house emission. Heat pumps, similar to solar, take the heat from surrounding air and convert that energy to supply heat to the storage tank unit. This is more economical to install and efficiency is only marginally less than solar. Find out more HERE.
Accredited Enviroplumber™ indicates that our staff are trained and educated in the correct installation methods of all products on the market and the current plumbing rules associated with each installation.
BASIX CERTIFICATE COMPLIANCE WORKS
Extending or building a new home with all D.A. approvals you will be required to confirm the houses design to the BASIX requirements for your water reduction needs and green house emission reduction needs. We are the people to help with all your plumbing needs.
