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DIY Pipes & Fittings

How to: Put Together a Rain Harvesting System

In order to prepare for the hot Aussie Summer months, historically bushfire season, it is in everyone's best interest to take advantage of heavier rainfall conditions and harvest the water while we can get it. 

In order to prepare for the hot Aussie Summer months, historically bushfire season, it is in everyones best interest to take advantage of heavier rainfall conditions and harvest the water while we can get it. 

WHAT WILL I NEED?

As a water and irrigation specialist, we can recommend the best water tank for your property and the best rain harvesting pump to make sure you're set for Summer and to keep your gardens green in the hot months. 

Firstly you'll need a water tank. The rainfall patterns in your region, the rainfall catchment roof area, and water usage will depend on the size.

The Rapid Plas corrugated Australian style poly tank can be used for many household purposes, supplying water for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry and toilets. Also incredibly ideal for agricultural and industrial purposes in a wide range of sizes, styles and colours. Large water tanks are also helping Aussie households and businesses shift to an environmentally friendly and economic water source.

Bushmans produce and manufacture high quality water storage tanks in poly and steel available for delivery and installation throughout Central and Eastern Australia. Their poly tanks are increasing popular due to the ease of installation and maneuverability of the tank. They are also the most economical tank solution.

Kingspan tanks use Aquaplate food-grade polymer-coated steel specifically designed for their water tanks for protection against water-to-tank contact. Manufactured in quality-controlled plants all around Australia, Kingspan offer 4 shapes in slimline, modline, round and square, up to 29,000L ensuring a great fit for every residential property.

Secondly, you'll need decent stormwater pipe and fittings to connect your roof guttering to your tank. To complete your system, we also recommend:

  • a Leaf Eater, to prevent leaves and debris from roof gutters entering your rainwater tank and contaminating your tank water;
  • a First Flush Water Diverter, to direct the first meter of water (approx 5.7L in 90mm pipe) away from the direction of the tank to avoid further debris contamination in the tank; and 
  • a Vented Flap Valve in between to even further filter out all the loose leaves, muck, bugs and dirt that can be carried through pipes in the rainfall. 

If you intend to use your tank water as potable drinking water, filtration in many forms is an important step when harvesting rainwater. 

We recommend the Puretec Hybrid Wholehouse UV Filter Systems for filtering tank water to potable water.

 

HOW DO I PUT IT ALL TOGETHER?

Rain Harvesting by the Blue Mountain Co. have created a simple to follow set up for an efficient and well rounded rain harvesting system, including water tank, pump and everything in between.

Rain Harvesting How-to
  1. Check ROOF SURFACE is suitable for collecting quality rainwater.
    It's best to use a local professional tradesman for this, as they are trained in the safety and handling to get on top of the roof.
  2. Install GUTTER MESH (such as Blue Mountain Mesh) to prevent leaves and debris from blocking gutters.
  3. Fit GUTTER OUTLETS from the underside of the gutter to prevent obstruction of water flow.
  4. Fit Leaf Eater RAIN HEADS to downpipes to stop gutters blocking. Rain heads deflect leaves and debris & keep bugs out of pipes that hold water ("wet" systems).
  5. Install WATER DIVERTER to prevent the first flush of most contaminated rainwater from entering the tank.
  6. Ensure the TANK STRAINER is installed at tank entry point to filter water and keep mosquitoes and pests out.
  7. Choose a WATER TANKConsider annual rainfall, roof catchment area and water usage when determining the size.
  8. Attach FLAP VALVES to the end of all pipes directing to the tank screen and to TANK OVERFLOW OUTLETS to keep mosquitoes and pests out and ensure tank is ventilated properly.
  9. Utilise a TANK FLOAT VALVE (if required) to automatically top-up the tank with mains water when water levels fall to a designated minimum level. 
  10. Finally, select a PRESSURE PUMP SYSTEM (if required) to distribute water for use inside or outside the home.

Don't forget to add a Polyslab Pump Cover to protect your pump!

For more information on components or assistance on setting up your Rain Harvesting system, contact us on 1800 244 389.


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