Getting tanked
January 29th, 2007 by trinatuneThe fact that Sydney’s water reserves have hit an all-time low (below 40 per cent), and that the city is said to only have two years left of stored water really freaks me out. This trend is also reflected throughout most areas of Australia.
According to non profit consumer organisation CHOICE, Australia is the driest inhabited continent and predictions are that the future is likely to get hotter and drier. Plus, per person, Australians are the biggest water consumers in the world.
Therefore the next big ticket item I plan to strike off my wish list is a water tank. I would like to get as large a one as possible. And a tank that hooks up to the toilet and washing machine would also be ideal but it does depend on cost. State governments do offer some rebates but they differ depending on the tank and its functions.
The Alternative Technology Association has a great clickable online map that shows what sort of water (as well as solar hot water and photovoltaic) rebates are available in Australian states.
CHOICE has also put together a really informative guide to buying a water tank.
I’m interested to know if you will consider using your rainwater for drinking.
In Adelaide rainwater tanks have been the norm for as long as I can remember but for some bizarre reason NSW outlawed them at some point. Even now (I think) they are not meant to be used for drinking in NSW but what’s wrong with it?
Hey Anne,
In major metropolitan areas like Sydney I know that you can’t collect rain water from your roof to drink because the air pollutants make it undrinkable. Also a lot of older roof tiles contain lead paint so that also affects the water quality. I think though in rural areas it is still ok. In Adelaide, can you drink the water collected from your roof. If so, that is great.
[...] Regardless it seems a shame to see all that water here in the city go to waste, so I love Trina’s idea of getting a water tank. …the next big ticket item I plan to strike off my wish list is a water tank. I would like to get as large a one as possible. And a tank that hooks up to the toilet and washing machine would also be ideal but it does depend on cost. State governments do offer some rebates but they differ depending on the tank and its functions. [...]
If you ask me, Sydney is dwelling into massive water disaster within the next few years. I work for a water tank business and it seems more and more customers are worried for the future of water supply. Rebates are dwindling fast as govt tighten up the cash flow as customers get familiar with water tanks. In QLD your now required to have complete internal water plaumbing with you tank to even get a rebate from Govt. Go and grab that water tank ASAP~!
Best Regards,
Robert
Gold Coast Water Tanks
Greetings,
We are a new company, named Comparison Plastics, and our managing director is Brett Evans. Here is some information about us.
Comparison Plastics Pty Ltd are custom rotational moulders & manufacturers of plastic water tanks with 25 years of rotational moulding experience. Our water tanks come in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes.
Website: http://www.comparisonplastics.com.au
Contact No: 9604 2244
Email: info@comparisonplastics.com.au
Regards, Brett
Water supplies in most capital cities are dwindling fast. With more and more homes being built every day the increased demand on water reserves is not going to get any better. The government has implemented water rebates to encourage consumers to take responsibility for their own water usage. It is far cheaper for the government to make every one install a water tank than to build new dams.