| Plumbing Rainwater Tanks | | | | regulations that they'll need to meet. For example: |
| Many homeowners are having rainwater tanks | | | | Materials must be Watermark Certified |
| plumbed into the house to decrease their | | | | Piping must have the words 'Rain water' printed |
| environmental impact, make water available for the | | | | on it at 500mm or lower intervals |
| garden in times of water restrictions and simply to | | | | Water outlets must be labelled as rain water |
| enjoy the taste of sparkling clean rainwater! | | | | Hot water service inlet pipes must be labelled as |
| Additionally, in many states it is now mandatory to | | | | rain water |
| have rainwater tanks plumbed into newly built houses. | | | | All the labelling will need to be done with approved |
| For those of you that are facing the task of getting | | | | signs... unfortunately you can't just get out the |
| the water from 'there' to 'here', we have a complete | | | | permanent marker! |
| guide to your necessary preparations and the work. | | | | Backflow prevention is a must |
| Decide where you'll be plumbing it to | | | | Due to the possibility of rainwater from a |
| If you have an open rainwater tank, or live in a | | | | contaminated roof making it into the house, all |
| heavy industrial area, it is advisable to plumb the | | | | rainwater plumbed to outlets shared with the |
| rainwater tank only to non-drinking sources inside | | | | reticulated supply must have backflow prevention |
| your home. In these cases you should plumb your | | | | devices attached. It's an extra cost, but the |
| rainwater tank to the toilets, hot water service, taps | | | | requirement carries pretty hefty fines if you don't |
| used for the washing machine and irrigation. | | | | meet it. |
| Do you need a seamless automatic switching device? | | | | You may be able to install a non-testable backflow |
| If your rainwater tank was required to be installed by | | | | prevention device if you've taken other precautions |
| legislation (as in newly built homes), you'll need to | | | | Testable devices for backflow prevention are |
| have a seamless automatic switching device between | | | | required for buried and partly buried rainwater tanks; |
| the tank and the ordinary reticulated supply. This | | | | however if you have other protective measures |
| ensures that your plumbing isn't damaged (and you | | | | installed, you may be able to use a non-testable |
| don't have to run out and manually move an irrigation | | | | device. Of course, there's other advantages to |
| switch) if the rainwater tank runs dry. | | | | installing these as well... better tasting water is just |
| You'll need a licensed plumber | | | | one of those! They include: |
| If your rainwater tank is required to be installed | | | | Gutter guards |
| under the law, there'll usually also be a proviso about | | | | Filters |
| using a licensed plumber - for safety's sake. Even if | | | | First flush devices |
| you aren't legally required to install a tank, your | | | | Dry inlets |
| council may require that you use a licensed plumber | | | | Mosquito and vermin guards |
| for the installation. Besides, who wants the | | | | There's little 'real' work that homeowners must, or |
| headache? | | | | even can, do when it comes to plumbing rain water |
| Special materials must be used | | | | tanks Melbourne, it is always best to leave such jobs |
| If you're planning to supply your own installation | | | | to the experts - but there is a fair bit that you'll need |
| materials to save a bit of cash, there are often | | | | to know, regulations-wise. |