The benefits of installing a rainwater tank include:*

• Use of rainwater around your property - outside to water gardens, top up pools and ornamental ponds, and wash cars and boats; inside (requiring connection by a licensed plumber) to fill up washing machines and flush toilets

• A reduction in the amount of town water you use and therefore a reduction in the cost of your water bills.

• Conservation of our precious town water supply.

• Help for the environment by reducing the amount of stormwater run-off which carries pollutants into our rivers and oceans and impacts the water balance in our wetlands. An average sized, three bedroom, single storey home with an approximate roof area of 150 square metres could collect as much as 180,000 litres of rainwater every year.

On average, one square metre of roofing will collect one litre of water for every millimetre of rain that falls.

There are many ways to connect your rainwater tank for internal or external use. If you connect it internally then you must only use the water in accordance with Level 2a restrictions.

 

Types of rainwater tanks

Rainwater tanks come in a variety of sizes and shapes including round, rectangular (modular) and slimline. Round tanks tend to be either upright or squat and fit well under decking, while slimline tanks are generally
smaller and more suited to installation on the side of your house.

Above ground rainwater tanks are usually cheaper and easier to maintain. Below ground rainwater tanks can be hidden and save on space.

*NSW Health supports the use of rainwater for these indoor and outdoor purposes but doesn't recommend it be used for drinking purposes if an alternative town water source is available. It also discourages rainwater use for showers and baths. For more information visit the NSW Health website.

 

Rainwater tanks come in a range of materials. These include:

• Metal (various types) - these are light, can be custom made, and are suitable for above ground use.
• Polyethylene (poly) - light, long lasting, UV-resistant, rust resistant, in many sizes and colours, and suitable for above or below ground use.
• Concrete -durable, long lasting, help to keep water cool, can be custom-made, and suitable for above or below ground use.
• Fibreglass - light, rust resistant, non-corrosive, can withstand extreme temperatures, and come in many sizes and colours.

The appropriate size of rainwater tank will depend on how many people will be using the water, whether it will be for indoor or outdoor use, and the size of the roof area to which it is connected.

Small rainwater tanks of around 2,000 litres are more suitable for toilet flushing and watering a small garden. Large rainwater tanks of around 5,000 litres are suitable for watering gardens, washing cars and some indoor non-drinking purposes (eg toilet flushing and clothes washing).

 

Before you buy a rainwater tank, Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councils strongly recommend you get a qualified and experienced rainwater tank supplier/ installer to visit your property/dwelling to discuss your needs and provide you with a detailed quote.

 

Costs

The cost of a rainwater tank depends on the size and type of material it is made from. Other costs may include:

• delivery and installation
• hiring a licensed plumber to connect your rainwater tank indoors and/or guttering and down pipe adjustments
• a foundation or tank stand for above ground tanks or excavation works for below ground tanks
• purchase and installation of a flow restrictor, first flush device, backflow device, filters, insect screens and gutter guards
• water pumps, if there is insufficient water pressure
• ongoing maintenance costs such as cleaning the tank.

 

Council rebates

To help encourage more residents and businesses to install rainwater tanks and reduce the pressure on the town water supply Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councils introduced a Rainwater Tank Rebate Scheme on 1 January 2003.

The rebate is designed to help offset the cost of buying and installing a rainwater tank. It is subject to Council inspections as well as other Terms and Conditions printed on the back of the Rainwater Tank Rebate Application Form.

The rainwater tank rebate varies according to the size of the rainwater tank you buy. The table below outlines the different rebates payable:

*Contact your Council for more details on connection styles

 

To qualify for a rainwater tank rebate your property must be:

• connected to the town water supply in either the Gosford City or Wyong Shire Council local government areas
• a home, business or other commercial premises. In addition your rainwater tank must:
• be installed after the program began on 1 January 2003
• have a minimum capacity of 2,000 litres
• not be the subject of a development consent
• be connected by a licensed plumber if it is for indoor use
• comply with Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councils' requirements for installation.

You are not eligible for the rebate if:

• your property is not connected to the town water supply
• the installation of your tanks was the subject of a development consent to comply with Wyong Council's DCP 100, Gosford Council's DCP 65 or the State Government's BASIX requirements.

How to apply

Once you have paid for your rainwater tank in full and it has been installed, complete with any plumbing work, you will need to:

• read through the rebate application form attached to this brochure, paying particular attention to the Terms and Conditions to make sure you are eligible
• fill in the application form, making sure if your rainwater tank is connected internally your licensed plumber completes his/her relevant sections
• attach a copy of the official receipt(s) for the purchase and installation of your rainwater tank
• send your completed and signed application form to your local council at either:

Subject to verification, you should receive your rebate within 60 days of Gosford City or Wyong Shire Council receiving your application. The rebate will be paid by cheque.

For more information contact Gosford City Council on 4325 8222 or Wyong Shire Council on 4350 5555.

 

Council regulations

Anyone installing a rainwater tank must adhere to the requirements set out in SEPP 4, the National Plumbing the National Plumbing and Drainage Code of Practice (AS 3500) and NSW Code of Practice for Plumbing & Drainage and ‘Guidelines for Installing a Rainwater Tank', a detailed installation guide available from Gosford City or Wyong Shire Councils

Key requirements (in summary) are:

DA requirements

• Rainwater tanks with a capacity of more than 10,000 litres (or several tanks with a combined capacity of more than 10,000 litres) require a development application to be lodged with your local Council.
• Development application fees have been waived for the installation of tanks with a capacity of 10,000 litres or more, while Level 4 or higher restrictions apply.

Positioning

To avoid the need for a development application:

• All rainwater tanks should have a maximum height of 3 metres.
• They should be positioned behind the front building alignment (and side alignment for corner blocks).
• They should not be positioned in front of the property.
• They should be located at least 450mm from any property boundary in urban areas.

Rainwater tank covers

• All rainwater tanks should have a tight-fitting cover so animals and children cannot gain access, water won't be lost through evaporation and light won't enter and contribute to algae growth.

Top-up or bypass connections

• These are required for tanks which are connected internally and installed by a licensed plumber.
• Top up or bypass connections link to the town water supply to ensure your washing machine and toilet maintain minimum water levels and operate effectively during low rainfall.

Backflow prevention

• New water meters which feature a backflow prevention device may need to be fitted to your property. This will help ensure that water from your rainwater tank does not flow back into the town supply.
• These new water meters will be installed free of charge by your local Council.
• All inground tanks require additional backflow devices which must be approved by your Council plumbing inspector.

Signage

• Signs should be placed on your tank to clearly state the water is ‘Not For Drinking' (as recommended by NSW Health) - they are available from rainwater tank or plumbing suppliers.
• Signs should be placed at the front of your property/ dwelling to clearly state you are using water from a rainwater tank. Signs will be provided when your rainwater tank is inspected by Council.

First flush devices

• These are required to help reduce the amount of debris that is collected from your roof and accumulates in your rainwater tank.
• They also help to increase the length of time between when you need to clean your rainwater tank.

Water restrictions

• All water collected in rainwater tanks which are connected internally must be used in accordance with level 2a restrictions.
• Under Level 2a restrictions, water can only be used with a hand-held hose for half an hour a day on alternate days (depending on odd/ even house numbers), 7am-9am or 5pm-7pm. Pools can be topped up, cars can be washed with a bucket and boat engines can be washed with a hose for up to 10 minutes.
• A full list of level 2a restrictions is available from your local Council.

 

See here for a full list of Terms and Conditions and an Application Form.