Australia has always had a very arid climate, and as the population grows, this presents additional challenges as far as the water supply is concerned. Until scientists finally master their ability to desalinate, this threat is not likely to recede, and many proactive citizens are taking the situation into their own hands. If you are similarly proactive, you will want to save every single drop of rain that falls from the sky for your own use and will be looking at the installation of a rainwater tank. How can you make sure that you maximise your advantage here?
Making Your Choice
The first thing you need to do is to choose a tank of the appropriate size for your needs. If you have a particularly large plot of land and use it to grow plants or vegetables, then you will be concerned with irrigation as well and may need a larger capacity.
Once you have zeroed in on the size, you need to decide where to put it. Make sure that the soil underneath is solid enough to bear the weight of the tank and you may have to introduce a concrete base if the facility is particularly large. Otherwise, if you do happen to get some very wet weather for a change, then the ground beneath could subside and cause an issue.
Gathering Efficiently
You need to take advantage of the sloping roof on your structure to gather as much water together as you can. As you may know, this building is configured so that water drains away equally from its roof surface and you may need to alter certain areas so that the guttering system flows towards your tank.
Cleanliness and Filters
Once you are up there, make any necessary repairs to the gutters and ensure that they are clear of leaves, debris or dirt. You may need to install some filters in strategic places to help with this going forward.
Early Diversion
No matter how careful you are to keep your roof in good condition, it's likely that it will accumulate dirt before the first big rainstorm arrives. Ask your supplier to provide you with a "first flush" diversion valve that will discard the initial catch of rainfall, before allowing the remainder to go into the tank.
Building Pressure
As you have a large area to irrigate, you will probably need a pressure pump to help achieve this. Make sure that you put this pump away from your home or any neighbours so that it does not annoy them when it is in operation.
Doing It Properly
To do this properly, you will need an experienced plumber to help you. Make sure that it is done correctly from the outset and you will be able to take advantage of as much rain as mother nature sends to you.
