In Sydney the last few weeks have been wet ones - and thankfully some of the rain made it into the catchment… this time.
Regardless it seems a shame to see all that water here in the city go to waste, so I love Trina’s idea of getting a water tank.
…the next big ticket item I plan to strike off my wish list is a water tank. I would like to get as large a one as possible. And a tank that hooks up to the toilet and washing machine would also be ideal but it does depend on cost. State governments do offer some rebates but they differ depending on the tank and its functions.
Her post also has some great pointers to further information about getting a tank.
With all the talk of desalination plants it seems that water tanks might offer at least one solution to the water crisis. The ACF recently commissioned a study that found "Rainwater tanks are cost competitive with dams and desalination plants."
As Trina mentions, some states (including NSW, where I live) have rebates available to help reduce the up-front cost of the tanks as a means to encourage their citizens to install tanks.
If you’re building a new place why not consider installing a water tank when you build, as you’ll have more options available if you include it in your plans.
Nowadays there are space-saving tanks available like the WaterHog (also known as the waterH2OG) that can fit along your fence line or even under your floor - which can increase the thermal mass of your home and help keep it cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
WWF partner Neco also has a selection of tanks available.
Photo: Spappy.joneS @ Flickr
Because I can’t quite afford a water tank yet, I have set up my own makeshift water tank. You can check it out at http://greenfoot.com.au/2007/04/20/worm-farms-and-big-blue-barrels/
Which by the way, is overflowing now due to all this rain.
If you live in NSW, you can also get a rebate at the moment to install a tank. Up to $1500 if you connect it to a toilet and washing machine. You save much more water if you connect the tank indoors because you use it every day and there’s always room in the tank to collect more when it rains. The info is here at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/index.htm
Of poly and metal water tanks, which are more environmentally friendly?