Water tanks

As water becomes a scarcer resource, we need to collect and cherish every drop. JENNIFER STACKHOUSE steps through the process of installing a rainwater tank so you can keep your garden growing

With more frequent and longer-lasting periods of drought, increasing water costs and a growing population that’s putting demands on water supplies, water restrictions are becoming a permanent part of life across Australia. Among the first to feel the pressure of water restrictions are gardeners, as even low-level restrictions affect how and when gardens are watered.

In Western Australia, water restrictions are now always in force, but are called guidelines, not restrictions. And in some inland towns, severe water restrictions have been in operation for many years.

All this fades into the background when you have your own water source – literally on tap – in the form of a water tank.

Water tanks are readily available and come in all shapes and sizes, so they can be incorporated into even a small garden. While they aren’t cheap – prices for a small, 200L poly tank start at $150 – they are invaluable, as they allow gardeners

to keep their established gardens alive, and to grow fruit and vegies that need regular water, regardless of water restrictions.

If you don’t have a water tank but do have a garden, it’s time to start planning where a tank could go, and getting it installed so you can begin to store water before the next drought bites.

TANK BASICS

Water tanks are used to collect and store the water that runs off a roof when it rains. They can be fitted beside a house, garage or shed, placed below a deck or under a house, or even built into a wall. While it’s easy to include water tanks in a new build or during a major garden or house refurbishment, it’s also possible to retrofit a tank to any property.

Installing a water tank can be a DIY job, but most home gardeners need help to create a level site for the tank (this may include a concrete pad); a plumber to connect the tank to the system of gutters and downpipes from the roof, and manage where the run-off goes when the tank is full; and an electrician to install an external power source and a pump, to allow a hose, sprinkler or irrigation system to distribute the water from the tank to the garden.

If you don’t want to install the water tank yourself, or you’re concerned about the complexities of it, call in a landscape contractor or a tank supplier to arrange everything for you.

GETTING STARTED

Water tanks can be purchased from large hardware stores and specialist suppliers. They are easy to order and get delivered but, as a visit to a supplier or a quick look online reveals, there’s a bewildering array of tanks! Don’t become bamboozled when

trying to decide which type to get, as the choice is simply a matter of making the following series of decisions and taking all the costs into account.

The first decision is where the tank will go. Although tanks are now more attractive than in the past, they are usually put in a spot where they will be as unobtrusive as possible but close to the source of water, such as the house’s roof or outbuildings. When considering the best location, remember the tank needs to be lower than the lowest source of water.

Popular sites include behind a garage or shed, along the side of the house, or under an elevated verandah. It may be possible to connect all the roof areas to a single tank, or a series of tanks, to maximise the volume of water collected. Where it is difficult to collect all the water, position the tank where it gets a useful amount of rainwater.