In these budget-conscious times, we all want to save money wherever possible. Whether it’s switching to solar energy or converting our vehicles to run on LPG instead of petrol, we’re all looking for the smartest way to use our resources. The same applies to our use of water; restrictions on using reservoir water over the last 15 years combined with skyrocketing costs has resulted in many homeowners and businesses installing rainwater tanks in their backyards, or having slimline tanks attached to their premises. We all know Melbourne loves a good rain, and the primary function of water tanks is to collect and filter the rainwater for consumption, but how exactly does it do that? Let’s take a look in greater detail.
Water harvesting
Essentially what you’re doing when you’re collecting rain water in a tank is harvesting it, but it doesn’t just happen by itself. When the rain hits the roof of your home or your commercial premises, it accumulates in your gutters which act as the catchment system – in much the same way that the hills and river beds catch the water that travels to the reservoirs of Melbourne. The gutters are connected to pipes which run along your home and channel the water to your tank. The stored water can then be used for a variety of domestic purposes including watering the garden and washing the car among many other uses. It’s recommended that you don’t drink rainwater due to potential contaminants that might be in your tank.
How do underground tanks work?
In some cases where physical space is a problem, it might be necessary to install an underground water tank to harvest water. While they typically possess a greater ability to catch water runoff than above ground tanks, installing an underground tank requires excavation which can become costly. Again, the gutters are connected to the tank via pipes, which funnel the water into the tank and then out into the garden for irrigation purposes.
To learn more about which water tank would be best for your Melbourne property, contact the friendly staff at All Oz Tanks today.
