RAINWATER

Since the State Government introduced Legislation allowing people to use rainwater tanks and then their following Legistlation making it mandatory to fit a rainwater tank to existing homes. There has been a number problems for the home owner and the authorities.  Some of the problems encountered are:- Tanks only delivered and dropped on site Pumps inadequate No Leaf Guard No First Flush Device Not told about duel check valve or RPZ valve requirement Not told about bushfire requirement for tanks or gutters Wet stormwater systems without safeguards Not advised they need a licenced plumber or electrician Not advised of areas of use within the house When you are looking for a Rainwater System, you have to decide exactly what you are after and if you give careful consideration to what you want or have to get if you are building a new home.  Some of the factors to look at are:- ROOF & GUTTERS A good Rainwater System starts with the roof of your house.  The roof gutters should be cleaned and you should make sure the gutters are in good condition. If the gutters are in a poor condition they should be replaced. If the downpipes are to be replaced you may consider having these done as a part of the work involved in making the First Flush Device. LEAF GUARD Leaf Guard should be given full consideration on any good rainwater system and if there are trees around Leaf Guard is a necessity.  Leaf Guard has a number of additional benefits which includes:- Prevents clogging of gutters and downpipes from leaves and twigs from trees etc. Prevents frogs, lizards, birds,wasps from getting into your gutters and eventually your water tank Stops mosquitoes breeding due to no wet and damp conditions. Stops birds, mice, rats and possums from getting in your roof via gaps under the tiles at the gutter. Reduces the risk of fire starting in your gutters due to no combustible materials build up. A good Leaf Guard system can be colorbond matched to your house gutters or roof. There are alot of different types of Leaf Guard available and these include metal and poly materials.  Some of the problems with these are:- Poly materials are not approved in fire risk areas. Some of the installations should not be done as they do allow build up and the same problems if they were not used.  Some of these are:-         Leaf Guard Dished Leaf Guard Bowed Up Leaf Guard Sloping Back For more information click on Leaf Guard FIRST FLUSH DIVERTER A First Fush Water Diverter is essential on all rainwater tank installations if you want to prevent as much solid matter and contaminated water from entering the tank. You should always remember a clean tank is a healthy tank. Tha main First Flush Water Diverters for the home are:   Down Pipe Inground First Flush Water Diverters can turn a wet system into a dry system further reducing the risk of sediment build-up in your stormwater pipes First Flush Water Diverters are self emptying at about 1 litre a minute so that the Diverter is empty the next time it rains. For more information on First Flush Water Diverters click on Leaf Guard. TANKS Tanks come in sizes ranging from 200 litres to 200,000 litres. The tanks are made in: Polyethylene above ground Polyethylene inground Concrete above ground Concrete inground These are the most important part of your rainwater system and this is where you have to decide on the size of the tank and whether it is to be inground or above ground and the materials of manufacture. The location within your yard is also a major consideration. Other considerations are: Do you have access for a crane or backhoe Is it to go under a driveway Is it going down the side of the house or behind a garage where it is narrow In domestic applications sizes are normally from 5,000 litres to 10,000 litres. Tank sizes larger than this may require permission from council. Once you have decided on the tank size you have to decide on exactly what you want to do with the water. Tank only with a tap for taking the water out. Tank with a pump and on/off switch (Not recommended) to a hose or other outlet. Tank with a pressure switch to one or more yard taps for watering the garden or washing the car. Tank with a pressure switch to supply household services as well as yard taps. If you have nominated 1,2 or 3 above you do not need a licenced plumber but you may require a licenced electrician for a power point to operate the pump. If you have nominated 4 above you do need a licenced plumber for your town water connections as you have to have an RPZ valve at the water meter and a duel check valve where the town water can mix with the rainwater at the entry point to the house. You will also need a licenced electrician. Subject to the area you live in you may be required to have additional storage for fire fighting. This would mean you need a larger tank and a Storz valve fitted. For instance if you are required to have 7,000 litres for fire fighting and you want 5,000 litres for home use you would require a minimum 12,000 litre tank. For a range of tank types and sizes click on tanks. SYSTEM OPERATION The following sketch shows the Aerated Sewage Systems Rainwater Tank to the house and the town water supply. The rainwater enters the tank via the inlet pipe The excess water discharges to stormwater via the overflow pipe The control box (9) supplies electricity to the whole system When the water is at the correct level the system operates off the Domino pressure switch (12). When you turn a tap on or flush a toilet the pressure drops in the switch and turns the pump on to supply the water to the outlet being used. If the water level gets to low the float switch (6) turns the town water on through solenoid valve (10). This occurs when the water is at about 20% capacity. When the water gets to approximately 40% capacity solenoid valve (10) will be turned off. Should the power to the system be turned off or you get a power blackout solenoid valve (11) will open and allow town water to operate in the house. As soon as the power is restored the solenoid valve(11) will close allowing the rainwater system to operate normally.