We are constantly working on ways to improve our products and have just released a few improvements to the Superhead water tanks and water filter. This includes:

• A filter for the flush pipe drain to prevent it blocking- up
• A new leaf screen with stainless steel mesh
• A new insect screen,

These small upgrades for rainwater filters simply improve the performance and reduce the amount of maintenance required for your rainwater tanks

The new parts will be standard on all new orders. They are also available as an Upgrade Pack that can be fitted to your existing water tank filter. Upgrade packs are only available direct from us and cost $12 (including shipping. Please contact us to purchase an upgrade pack(s)

Alternatively if you would like to buy the new Superhead rainwater filters with all the shiny new bits or First flush rainwater tanks, please visit our store locator for your nearest outlet

Residents of Bowen, Queensland were recently advised to boil all mains water after the dangerous E- coli bacteria was found in the Queensland water supply.

Bacteria like E- coli is often found in animal faeces. Some strains of this bacteria will cause stomach cramps, diarrhoea  and bloody stools and vomiting. The common way to treat most water borne pathogens is by adding chlorine to the water supply. Around 98% of the developed world uses Chlorine to treat the mains water. It’s not just unique to Queensland water

Chlorine is a known poison and therefore has a negative effect on our bodies. The exact side effects of consuming Chlorine in the levels found in the Queensland water supply are not known however it has been linked to respiratory diseases like Asthma. Chlorine also vaporises faster than water so airborne chlorine vapour is easily inhaled while showering.

Boiling Queensland tap water will also remove the bacteria but must be done immediately prior to consumption or it could be re- contaminated. This is the safest way to treat water as it does not require adding potentially harmful chemicals to your water. Obviously it is not possible for the Queensland Water to deliver boiling water to your tap hence why chemicals are used instead.

Water borne bacteria and pathogens can also infect rainwater tanks if bird and animal droppings are washed into the tank. Rainwater from the sky in most parts of Queensland is pure and safe to drink but it can pick up pollutants when it comes into contact with the roof, gutters and pipe work used to collect the rainwater.

The best way to prevent potentially dangerous pollution and sediment entering the rainwater tanks is with first flush rainwater filters. The rainwater filters will automatically discard a pre set amount of rainwater when it first starts to rain before capturing clean rainwater. This not only keeps the rainwater in the tank clean and safe but will also reduce the amount of maintenance needed on the rainwater tanks. Australian Standards recommend the use of a first flush diverter to discard a minimum of 20L per 100 square metres of roof area. This can be increased if the roof is in a polluted area such as a busy road or areas with many trees and leaves.

Perth does it hard when it comes to water. Despite getting more annual rain than Melbourne, Perth has long periods without rain which can make or break farmers and put huge pressure on the dams. This is most evident 2002 when water reserves dropped to around 19%. Since then things have been a little better however Perth still has not had their dams over 50% full for a long time.

The Water Corporation has now turned to alternative water sources such as desalination, recycling, even the concept of a canal from North- West at a cost of billions of dollars.

Even in a bad year Perth gets quite a lot of rain so wouldn’t it be better to just buy everyone rainwater tanks rather than spend billions of dollars on desalination plants that also need huge amounts of power to run them?

When calculating your water useage and your water tank size you need to allow for a longer period without rain than other capital cities. The average for January is just 8.6mm which is very low with December, January and February not much better. Depending on how much you intend to rely on your tanks you need to either…

a) get more Supertanks rainwater tanks to increase your storage and help get you through the dry months, or

b) accept that you can only rely on your water tanks for around 70% of the year, and use mains water over Summer when your tanks get low.

To reduce your Mains consumption by 70% is pretty amazing when you think about it. If everyone did that we wouldn’t have a water problem and we sure wouldn’t need desalination plants!

To make any kind of difference you really need to install a rainwater tank with over 5000 litre capacity. To achieve this volume with Supertanks you need at least 13 tanks.

The Department of Water offers rebates for tanks and many developers and local councils are offering incentives for installing tanks. Consult your local council or developer for more information or visit the Waterwise website for current rebates and info about rainwater tanks. You might also like to read a bit more about the reasons for the water restrictions

For more information about Perth and Western Australia’s rainfall, first flush rainwater filters and help designing your rainwater tank system or first flush rainwater filters please see our Guide to Selecting a Rainwater Tank for rainfall data and water usage in Perth

There are many benefits for building a house with Supertank Rainwater Tanks. Supertanks can be used instead of tradtional materials to build walls and fences. Our rainwater tanks can be used to build the whole house or used strategically in areas of the house where the water is most needed or where the thermal mass is required.

Supertanks can be used for external or internal walls so there is no limit to where the can used. While it is possible to build the entire building with Supertanks, the reality is that the volume is far more water than you will need. A typical application is to build the garage or specific walls like the bathroom or laundry.

THERMAL MASS USING RAINWATER

The volume of stored water acts as thermal mass to help with the passive solar heating and cooling of the building. Thermal mass is a term used to describe the amount of energy that is stored in the building materials. Thermal mass can be used to keep the building cool in summer and warm in winter and helps to maintain a stable temperature inside the building. During the day the sun will heat the thermal mass and at night it will release the stored heat. The more thermal mass there is, the longer it will take to heat and cool. Water is excellent thermal mass because it can be moved around to improve the thermal performance of the building. For example, the stored rainwater can be heated by the sun and then pumped round the home to passivly heat the home in Winter.

In summer thermal mass can be a problem if the building is not designed properly. The thermal mass will heat up during the day and will then release the heat through the night which can uncomfortable on a hot summer night. Lightweight construction has low thermal mass and is easier to heat and cool because there is nowhere for the heat to be stored. In warmer climates like the tropics lightweight construction is perferable.

Supertanks offer the best of both systems!

In Winter when the tanks are full of rainwater it provides a lot of thermal mass. The rainwater tanks can be located on the North side to capture heat from the sun which heat the water and then release the heat throughout the night. The water could also be circulated through a solar heating array on the roof (like a pool heater) to heat the water

In Summer the tanks will slowly empty and reduce in thermal mass. The tanks are made with a series of isolated cells which help to insulate the home even when the tanks are empty. With a low thermal mass it makes the home easier to cool. If the tanks are full of water then it will also provide good thermal performance but care should be taken to shade the wall from the Summer sun to reduce heat gain.

SPACE AND COST BENEFITS

As blocks get smaller it is becoming more difficult and more expensive to achieve the environmental responsibilities the various planning authorities require. Supertanks rainwater tanks and first flush rainwater filters provide a great solution because they enable homeowners to store rainwater without sacrificing valuable space. The cost benefits are also significant because the Supertanks are acting as both the water storage and the building material. This usually works out to be less than buying building materials and also separate rainwater tanks and first flush rainwater filters. There is also the added benefit of reduced water rates

ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE OF A WATER TANK HOUSE

Supertanks provide very good sound insulation regardless of whether they are full or empty. When full the rainwater will help to absorb the sound. When empty, the isolated cells form a barrier to the sound. Full tanks are significantly better than empty tank

CONSTRUCTION BENEFITS

The simple construction system of Supertanks allows a fast construction time. This allows for construction by unskilled labour with a minimum of tools and wastage. Only the final connection to the water system must be done by a licensed plumber.

Stormwater washes pollution into local rivers and streams

Even though Brisbane and the Gold Coast get the most rain of all the capital cities water conservation is still an important issue. We all know rainwater watertanks are one of the best ways to save water but they have other benefits too.

The Brisbane council (and all councils for that matter) encourage rainwater watertanks and first flush rainwater filters but have some strict guidelines to prevent insects entering and breeding in water tanks. It is very important to make sure all tank openings are properly guarded with insect proof mesh or other coverings. Mosquitoes will also breed in any place where water is pooling so also make sure your gutters have the correct falls  to prevent any ponding. 

Using Rainwater tanks in Brisbane and the Gold Coast will not only help ease water problems but it will also reduce the amount of stormwater run- off. With so many hard surfaces found in cities these days the stormwater can’t get absorbed into the ground so easily. The run- off can cause erosion problems and also wash rubbish, chemicals and other pollutants into local creeks and ponds. Installing a tank can help retain stormwater on your property and reduce stormwater problems.

When deciding how much water you need to store in your tank you need to consider the climate and rainfall. Brisbane and all of the Queensland’s East coast get good rainfall all year round. This is good news because it means you don’t need to account for long periods without rain. Our water tank design guide has more information about rainfall and calculating how much water you use so you can decide how many Supertanks and first flush rainwater filters you need.

The council offers some good rebates for rainwater tanks. They offer $900 for 3000- 4999 litres and $1150 for over 5000 L. (12 Supertanks) Both rebates require the tanks to be plumbed into your house for internal use. The Brisbane council has several other rebates available and they may change from time to time so check the Brisbane Council website for more information about water tanks and rebates.

The Queensland Government also offers rebates under the Home and Garden WaterWise Rebate Scheme. The offer up to $1000 towards water tanks, pumps, diverters and other direct costs of installing a tank. Please see the Queensland Government website for more information on rainwater tanks and water rebate schemes.

This rebate does NOT apply to new homes which require mandatory water saving targets as these homes typically have water tanks installed already and the developer may offer incentives directly to help cover the additional costs.

• Rainwater Tanks in Australia
• Selecting a Tank
• Calculating the Tank Size
• System Design
• Health Issues
• Maintenance

Rainwater Tanks In Australia

Australians love water but unfortunately we just don’t have enough to go around anymore.

With a drier climate and a growing population it is clear that our current water supply in Australia is not sufficient so we are left with 2 options:

Use less water

OR

find more water

We can all try to save water but the fact is that we need to water the garden, fill the swimming pool and flush the toilet so it seems that if we want to keep the standard of living we are accustomed to then we need to find more water.

Good news. Its all around us!

We don’t need to spend billions of dollars on desalination plants or recycling sewerage. The easiest way to do that is by simply collecting the water that lands on your roof and storing it in an Australian water tank.

Most places in Australia get enough rainfall each year for each home to collect enough water to keep them going most of the year. Obviously this depends on how big your roof is, how big your water tank is and how much water you use, but even if you could collect just 20% of the water you use each year into a water tank it would make a big difference to the amount of water we use in Australia

With a Supertank System of modular water tanks you can easily store any volume of water from 300L to 300,000L or more! and for around 75c per litre to buy it is one of the most economical slimline water tanks in Australia. (A 395L tank costs around $300). With rising water prices a tank can save you money in just a few years

The other great thing about the Superwall Water Tank is that its patented folding rectangular shape means that it looks just like a regular wall or fence so you don’t have to try and hide it away, or lose valuable space in your backyard.

Supertanks are designed, owned and made in Australia for Australian conditions.

You can make a difference!

Installing a rainwater tank is one of the easiest and most effective ways to save water. Rainwater (provided you take a few simple precautions) is cleaner, more pure and usually tastes better than your mains tap water. Best of all its free!

Selecting a Rainwater Tanks for Australia

Before you buy a water tank you need to decide how much water you need. Ask yourself a few questions and use the tables to determine your storage requirements

How much water do I use?

What do I use the water for? (gardening, washing, drinking?)

How much do I rely on it (Do I have mains backup)

How much rain do I get?

How much water can I collect (how big is my roof?)

How often does it rain?

Water Consumption Table for Australian Homes

Pool Evaporation Rates (litres per square metre)

Factors influencing evaporation rates

• Pool Cover reduces evaporation between 20- 90% depending on type
• Exposure to wind will increase evaporation. Protection from wind will decrease it. A gentle breeze can DOUBLE the evaporation rate by constantly removing the layer of humid air directly above the surface of the pool.
• Air temperature:
• Humidity. Dry air (low humidity) will increase evaporation
• Useage. Using the pool will increase the evaporation. Splashing and getting out will remove water. Broken/ wavy water (either by use, filtration or wind) can increase the evaporation rate.
• Pool temperature. Heated pools will evaporate more. The hotter it is, the more it will evaporate.
• Rainfall. Rain will top up the pool but doesn’t affect the evaporation rate.

Rainfall Averages

To Calculate how much water you can collect each year use the following calculation:

Annual Rainfall (mm) x Catchment (roof) Size (m²) x run-off percentage* – any first flush = Maximum Harvest Volume

* ‘run- off percentage’ is the percentage of the total roof area that is used for collection.

Example:

Your house in Broome has a 100m² roof. But you will only use 70% of the harvest area because you will not collect the water under a large tree that overhangs some of your roof. You also have a Superhead first flush device that will discard 30L each time it rains. Assume it rains 50 times per year. Your annual rainfall is 599.2mm

1) Calculate the first flush that will be discarded= 30L x 50= 1,500

2) Put the figures into the calculation: 599.2mm x 100m² x 70% – 1500L= 40,144L per year

Calculating the Tank Size

To calculate the size of the tank you need and the number of Supertanks you need, you will need to have a look at how often it rains (the period between significant rain), how much water you use, and what will happen if you run out of water. If you have mains water then it is not a big problem because you can switch to mains water if you run out, but if you rely solely on rainwater then you will need to factor in periods of drought or little rain

The time between significant rain is a bit of a guess and you will need to use your best guess based on your past experience. You can also use the rainfall table to give you a better idea of the amount of rain you get and when. Don’t forget these are AVERAGES so a worst case scenario could be DOUBLE, possibly more.

To calculate how much water you consume, use the table above. You can either be general and simply use the ‘average household’ figure divide by 12 (12 months in the year) or if you want to be more specific adjust the figures to what you think is appropriate. Keep in mind you will use more water on your garden in Summer, and if you have a pool or ponds then that can change your useage too. The number of people in your home will also change your useage

To calculate the tank size you need

Period of no significant rain (days) x Daily Consumption (L)= Tank Size

Example

You live in Adelaide and during Summer you can remember times it hasn’t rained for 4 weeks (30 days). You have a family of 4 and use the rainwater for the lawn and garden only.

Daily Consumption: Lawn and Garden= (90,000 + 55,000) / 365 = 402L per day

Storage Volume Required: 30 days x 402L = 12,060 L

Supertanks Needed: 12,060/ 395= 31 tanks

Rainwater System Design

Now you know how many tanks you need you can plan your rain harvesting system. Things to consider are:

• space requirements
• distance from garden and/ or plumbing
• location of trees etc that may affect water quality
• visual impact
• distance from gutters/ downpipes
• connection to existing plumbing
• the use of filtration devices- gutter screens, first flush rainwater filters, rain- heads, outlet filtration.
• Pumps if required (you will probably need a pump if connecting to household plumbing)

Rainwater Health Issues

Installing and maintaining a Supertank is very simple, however you need to be aware of the potential hazards of storing water, especially if you are using it as drinking water. Some councils don’t recommend drinking rainwater so check to see if there are any restrictions first before you buy a tank.

Most problems occur because of dirt and pollutants from the roof building up and being washed into the water. By keeping your roofs and gutters clean and/ or using suitable filters like the Superhead rain head and first flush rainwater filters  can prevent most problems.

Below is a list of the common problems and ways to prevent them

• Bird and Animal Droppings

Prune overhanging branches and keep tank covers closed and seal gaps to prevent access. Use a first- flush filter to discard the first few litres of rain collected.

• Mosquitoes and insects

Protect inlets and overflows with mosquito proof mesh. Prevent water from pooling and stagnating such as near the overflow or in gutters

• Lead Contamination

Check for and remove lead paints and primers on roof and gutters (pre 1970’s)

• Rust and corrosion

(rotten egg or sewerage odours)

Rusty gutters and downpipes can taint the water. This is from low pH caused by contact between leaves and metals for long periods so clean gutters regularly

• Bacterial Growth

(Musty, fishy or ‘rotten egg’ smells, or small white flakes)

Some bacteria (biofilms) are OK, but some others are bad. Anaerobic growth in the sediment at the bottom of the tank is usually not good so try to minimise sediment entering the tank and keep the water oxygenated by using it regularly. Also make sure no light can enter the tank.

Chemicals can also be added to treat bacterial growth.

• Coloured water

Caused by leaves rotting on roofs and gutters, or from sediment coming from the roof tiles or paint. Keep the gutters clean and use a first- flush filter

• Slime

A light coating of slime (bio-film) is common and good for maintaining the quality of water. Heavy slime may be a concern can be treated with chemicals.

You might also like to download these articles on ‘Making Use of Rainwater’, and ‘Water Tanks and gardening

Maintenance

Keeping rainwater tanks and first flush rainwater filters is easy! The main problems are usually caused when things like leaves collect on your roof and gutter. They will start to rot and breakdown making them easier to get washed into the tank. The rotting process can also encourage bacteria and insects to breed. So by simply keeping the gutters clean you can make sure your tank is clean and safe. You can even gut a range of devices like the Superhead to help keep your gutters clean.

It also work on a cycle. Most of us will get rain in the winter months, and preceding that is Summer and Autumn when there is little rain, and the leaves are falling off the trees. So a bit of common sense says that Autumn is a good time to check that the roof and gutters are clean, and also let the first few litres of rain first flush all the dust and other dirt off the roof if it hasn’t rained for a while.

You should try and use the water stored in your tank regularly to prevent it stagnating and growing unfriendly algae and bacteria. This won’t be a problem if it is plumbed into your toilet and laundry, but if you are just using it for the garden then try to use a little every week in winter.

The Family First Senator is trying to persuade people that massively increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other gasses is not that bad after all. He bases this on the fact that climate hasn’t increased all that much in the past 15 years (not 50, or 100) and therefore is not actually doing any damage to the planet.

What a jerk! but assuming Steve is right and carbon dioxide is not that bad, it does not address the fact that fossil fuels are not infinite sources of power and we are around half way through our reserves of these fuels. If we had Steve’s way we would just keep burning coal and oil as fast as possible. What happens when that runs out Steve? What do we burn then?

This is especially odd because Steve likes to dress up like a beer bottle to promote a litter refund campaign. I applaud Steve for that initiative but I find it strange that he has an issue with a bit of rubbish on the street, yet has no concern for the future of the planet.

Just as green thinking was finally making some headway and people are making conscious decisions to reduce their environmental impact this guy comes along and wrecks the party. Nice one Steve

Rainwater tanks in Sydney, NSW are an excellent idea, regardless of how much water you use or where you get it from. They are both economically and environmentally attractive, and while they might require an initial investment, they tend to pay for themselves eventually. In this article, we’ll take a look at the basics of how they work, as well as some general information about their use worldwide and in the Sydney area.

Rainwater tanks in Sydney are most widely used to collect rainwater from runoff, as urban areas have a much higher rate of runoff than anywhere else. Runoff is the water that is not absorbed back into the air, and does not soak into the ground. In nature, roughly ten percent of rainwater is runoff, whereas in cities where the ground is almost all concrete, it jumps to around thirty-five. Rainwater tanks can collect some of this extra water and reduce the amount of stormwater which washes pollution into the waterways, all while providing an extra source of water. Runoff which is collected in Rainwater tanks in Sydney is usually from rooftops and gutters because it is the cleanest source but some places also collect water from other hard areas like driveways to maximise the amout of Sydney rainwater that can be collected and reused for garden and other uses. Rainwater can be used for many things after being collected in tanks. To take advantage of its rainwater tanks, Sydney converts the water to be used in toilets, gardens, and even public fountains.

Rainwater is generally safe to drink (a common idiom is that if it looks, smells, and tastes fine, it’s probably fine), but can absorb some pollutants from the roof such as bird and animal droppings, bacteria from rotting leaves, insecticides and other pollutants. If it is to be used for drinking water, it should be filtered in a high-grade system such as reverse osmosis or ultra fine filtration.

While rainwater tanks can be a somewhat pricey initial investment, the tanks will often pay for themselves in a few years, with the money saved on water bills and other filtration devices. In general, rainwater tanks are a great service to the environment that can save you some money on the side. They have uses in any climate, as in rainy areas they can prevent flooding, and in arid ones they can store water for the dry season. They have become more and more popular over the last decade or so, and currently Australia has an excellent rebate system of rainwater tanks in Sydney, Melbourne, and other prominent cities. If you’re considering a rainwater tank for any purpose, now is an excellent time to start giving something back to the planet, all while reducing your eco-footprint.

There are a lot of places around the world that have begun taking advantage of modern water recycling techniques. Rainwater runoff tanks are being used around the world for a variety of different purposes, each designed to take advantage of the way the climate is. Water conservation has become so prominent that many private companies now provide discounts for customers who take advantage of rainwater. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the ways rainwater runoff tanks are used, and how to take advantage of water rebates in your area.

Rainwater runoff is exceptionally high in cities, due to all the concrete and asphalt. In natural areas, roughly half of rainfall is absorbed into the air through evaporation, and forty percent soaks into the ground. The remaining ten percent is then runoff, but in cities that ten jumps to thirty-five percent, since rain does not soak in nearly as easily. Storm drains lead that water to the ocean after it collects pollution from the city streets, so rainwater collection tanks and runoff collection tanks have been set up to collect and filter this dirty water into perfectly drinkable water. Owning a collection tank can be an expensive investment, but it rapidly pays for itself through lower water bills and private or government water rebates.

Perhaps the best thing about rainwater collection is its versatility. If you live in a warm, arid climate, rainwater can be collected and filtered in the rainy season, then stored for the dry season. If you live in a rainy climate, rainwater can be collected to lessen threats of flood and water damage, and everywhere water collection and recycling can reduce the pressure on fresh groundwater sources. An excellent way to save money with water rebates and be self-sufficient and environmentally friendly is to own a rainwater collection and filtering tank.

If you are hard pressed due to economic turbulence but still want to lend a hand in preserving our environment, consider a water tank as an investment. The price of utilities will go up, but rain is always free. Throw in water rebates whenever you hook up a rainwater tank, and you’ll be saving money and helping the environment all at the same time.

Slimline tanks are becoming very popular amongst people that collect their own rainwater. These tanks have a variety of benefits over standard water storage, and are quickly becoming an important aspect of catching, filtering, and recycling rainwater. In this article, we’ll go over some of the different benefits of slimline tanks, as well as how rainwater collection and recycling works.

Slimline tanks are, essentially, rectangular water collection tanks that are designed to pull runoff from rooftops and gutter systems. The tanks then run the water through a filtration system, depending on what it is to be used for. If the water is very unclean or polluted, reverse osmosis can be used. Reverse osmosis is a technique in which water is pulled through a membrane, separating the solute (everything) from the solution (water). Thus, water taken from the streets of New York City can be sucked up and made into clean drinking water. If you live in a rural area, this kind of filtration may not be necessary, because if rainwater smells, looks, and tastes clean, it’s probably okay.

Almost all types of slimline tanks are non-combustible, extremely durable (most come with a no-budge no-bulge guarantee), and can store up to 5000 litres of water in a relatively small area. They are totally green, running on a small amount of electricity and producing enough water to run a small household during a rainy season. They can be used in arid climates to store water during the wet season, and in rainy climates to keep rainwater from causing flooding or water damage, all saving money on water bills while providing an easy way to give back to the planet. The battle for the environment has become a global one, with entire countries encouraging their citizens to practice safe water usage, and this is a major step.

There are a variety of different slimline tanks, all with different standards and sizes. However, regardless of where in the world you live, water collection and recycling should be a part of your life, and likely already has made an impact on it. If you’re looking for an environmentally (and economically) satisfying investment, a water collection and filtering tank is generally solid choice. While they can be something of an expensive initial investment, they tend to pay for themselves over time, and many governments, councils and developers provide a rebate for installing rainwater tanks, in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth and there is talk of a federal rebate for some systems.

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