Articles
October 28, 2024
In a landscape as dry and as hot as Australia, being able to store and collect rainwater can be vital to your domestic or commercial property. The impacts of drought and lower levels of natural water sources are also ongoing concerns for rural communities.
Collecting and using rainwater across Australia has different guidelines and legal requirements that can vary heavily across each state. Any person or property that needs to collect their own supply of rainwater must be fully aware of all the regulations and other factors that are vital for maintaining a high-quality water supply that is safe to use.
Collecting rainwater is legal across Australia for certain domestic and commercial purposes. It may be critical for rural areas. It can also offer urban and rural properties a cost-effective and sustainable source of water.
However, across Australia, all sources of rainwater must come from a safe surface such as a roof or gutter. They must be stored in clean and safe containers or rainwater tanks.
Additionally, to be viable for drinking or showering, rainwater must be clear, odourless, low in dissolved solids, and contain no toxic or harmful substances. Harmful substances include metal, animal contaminants, human pathogens, or traces of heavy metals.
Rainwater for toilet flushing, gardening, and irrigation, or clothes washing may sometimes be used even if it contains dissolved solids or contains non-hazardous materials. To ensure that the rainwater is properly distributed and used on a property, it is recommended for water pumps to be installed by a licensed and qualified plumber.
What defines lawful rainwater harvesting in Australia may change depending on your state, your property and your containing tanks.
Here’s a brief rundown of rainwater collection regulations in Australia’s 8 major jurisdictions.
Rainwater collection is legal and encouraged throughout NSW. In urban areas, NSW Health mainly recommends the use of rainwater for non-drinking uses.
In rural areas, rainwater is commonly used for drinking. To ensure water is safe to drink, it should be free of harmful chemicals and microorganisms.
Premises that serve the public or employees and use rainwater for drinking and/or cooking must enact and follow a quality assurance program following the NSW Private Water Supply Guidelines.
Rainwater harvesting, as well as rainwater tanks and barrels are legal to use in Victoria. The Victorian Department of Health advises regular rainwater tank maintenance, ensuring the water is free from hazardous substances and other safety measures.
New residential and commercial buildings in Queensland may be legally required to have a water tank installed. For further information and recommendations from the Queensland government, see here.
In South Australia, it is legally required for new houses to install a rainwater tank of at least 1000L. Rainwater used for community or commercial usage requires regular testing to ensure the liquid is suitable for drinking.
Rainwater is legal to harvest in Western Australia. The Government of Western Australia recommends measures such as properly installing a roof-raintank system with a well-located tank and using only safe roofing materials to guarantee healthy water quality.
Safe roofing materials include cement, slate, or polycarbonate. WA residents should also work to prevent contamination from animals, birds or insects.
The Tasmania government recommends using a rainwater storage system if your property is not serviced by the Taswater reticulated water network. The Tasmanian Government also suggests contacting a licensed plumber to install a “charged” or “flooded” system to discharge water into your tanks if the use of a gravity discharge is not suitable.
It is also recommended to install a first flush device to prevent unhealthy buildups of sludge in the water supply.
Rainwater tanks can be used to collect and use water as a private supply anywhere in the Northern Territory. Before installing a tank in the NT, ensure it has a first flush device to remove dirty water and screening to prevent bugs from entering the supply.
Rainwater harvesting is endorsed by the Australian Capital Territory government as a way to manage rainwater flow and as a way to use water more sustainably. Recommendations include regular maintenance and using mesh screening to prevent mosquitoes breeding.
Other factors that can impact rainwater collection across Australia include rebates, water usage, water quality, building codes and permits.
States and councils may also have more specific and specialised laws and requirements for what they define as proper water conservation or rain barrel systems. Consult your local government or relevant authority to ensure you are fully within proper rainwater requirements for your state.
Safely preserving the quality of your rainwater is vital to ensuring that your water is safe to drink or use for cleaning and other functions. After harvesting rainwater, consider the following methods for preserving its quality:
There are convenient financial and environmental benefits to harvesting rainwater for commercial and domestic purposes. These benefits include:
Rainwater harvesting works by capturing fresh rainwater from surfaces and conduits such as roofs or gutters. These surfaces then gather or channel the rainwater to a tank that is stored underground or close to the property above ground. The water is stored here until it is used.
During the channelling process, water generally passes through a screen or other filter to ensure that leaves and other substances are not sitting inside the tank.
Rainwater is made usable throughout a property with the help of the right type of water pump. A rains to mains system with an automatic changeover valve helps ensure that rainwater is used when available for suitable water outlets. For example, it can pump rainwater for all indoor non-potable fixtures (toilets, washing machines, etc.) as well as garden and lawn irrigation.
Bromic offers a range of water pumps designed for rainwater harvesting. Choose from external jet pumps or submersible pumps perfect for saving space and reducing noise.
When you purchase a Bromic water pump, you can easily access the technical information you need to begin successful rainwater harvesting. You can also get in touch with our helpful team for further assistance where required.
Explore a wide range of easy-to-use Bromic water pumps suitable for rainwater harvesting today.
Account
