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Selecting a rainwater tank
There are many types of rainwater tanks to choose from:
- traditional stand-alone tanks can be installed anywhere on your property
- modular tanks are designed to be installed against the house to save space.
Contact your local council to find out about rainwater tank selection and suppliers in your area.
Maintenance and testing
Rainwater tanks are usually low maintenance but some is needed to make sure you're collecting good, clean rainwater.
Advice about rainwater and water quality – SA Health
Domestic tanks
You do not need to do regular chemical or microbiological testing of domestic rainwater tanks.
Commercial or community tanks
Rainwater used as water supplies for commercial or community-based purposes requires routine testing to make sure the water is suitable for drinking.
Providing safe drinking water – SA Health
Building rules
South Australian building rules require that new dwellings and some extensions or alterations, have an extra water supply. Most people install a plumbed minimum-sized rainwater tank – other options include:
- a recycled water scheme
- connection to a community rainwater storage tank.
The extra water supply must be installed before a house or extension is occupied.
Building rules consent
Applications lodged for new houses, extensions and alterations must detail how water saving requirements are being met.
If rainwater tanks are being used, applications must include:
- the size of the tank
- location
- area of the catchment
- plumbing details for installation.
Planning approval for rain water tanks – Plan SA
Tank size
The storage capacity of the tank should be not less than one kilolitre. This is in addition to any water storage tanks that might be required - for example, tanks for fighting bushfires.
Plumbing and installation
The extra water supply must be plumbed to a toilet, a water heater or to all cold water outlets in the laundry of the home. The same rules apply to new extensions or alterations where the area is greater than 50 square metres and includes a toilet, water heater or laundry cold water outlet.
To help with water quality, every rainwater tank must be fitted with:
- an overflow device
- a mosquito proof, non-degradable screen.
A licensed plumber must:
- install the piping system to deliver the rainwater to the water closet, water heater or cold water laundry outlets
- complete a certificate of compliance.
