Water conservation is a major issue in Australia, as it is the driest continent in the world. Rain water collection and storage is a very cost-effective and efficient way to re-use water around the house, farm, or commercial site.
If you do not have access to mains water, rainwater is a great alternative. On the other hand, water tanks give you flexibility in how and when you use your water if you are connected to the mains water supply.
Considering installing a water tank but concerned about how it will look on your home, farm, or site? You don’t have to worry about that as Southwest Water Tank Solutions comes in a wide range of shapes and colours to blend in with any environment.They also add value to your home should you decide to sell it.
There are also some states and local councils that offer rebates for installing rainwater tanks.
Click here to see the range of tanks offered by South West Water Tank Solutions
Rainwater tanks can be purchased from the following places:
- Online at www.southwestwatertanks.com.au
- Over the phone by calling 0419 595 630
- Using the contact us form.
The size of the rainwater tank you need will depend on how much water you use, how much rain your area receives, and how large your collection area is.
A four-person family living in a two-bathroom home consumes an average of 90,000 litres of water per year (not including lawns or gardens) and has a collection area of 300 square metres.
A location with an average rainfall of 500 millimeters per year and a collection area of 300 square meters has the capacity to collect 150,000 liters of water. As usage will reduce the amount stored for future rain collection, the tank size generally does not need to be large enough to collect the entire amount of rainfall per year.
Australian Bureau of Meteorology provides rainfall averages for different areas in Australia.
This will vary significantly from customer to customer. Rainwater may be used for filling pools and watering gardens by household customers. Whereas, agricultural customers may use the tanks to store large amounts of stock water for their farms. There are many possible uses for rain water tanks.
With the Southwest Water Tank Solutions’ Calculator, you can determine how much rainwater your roof can collect and therefore what size tank would be best for you based on the square meters of your roof/hard surface, as well as the amount of rainwater you receive each year (see rainfall charts).
Yes, South West Water Tanks are backed by a 20 year manufacturer’s warranty. Click here for more information about the warranty.
We have put together a step-by-step guide to help you install your tank. In terms of delivery, there are two types: on-site delivery and roll-off delivery. The on-site process is when you follow the guidelines and and the site is prepared for a safe installation by our drivers.
In the event that the site is not prepared or it is unsafe for our drivers to fit the tank, then a roll-off delivery will take place, so the tank can be installed at a later date.
Please read our step by step installation guidelines.
For information on preparing for installation visit our installation page here.
For information on delivery visit our delivery page here.
As a standard feature, all tanks are equipped with a ball valve, overflow, and leaf strainer.
You can ask South West Water Tank Solutions’ experts about your specific tank requirements and for advice on any additional accessories you may need.
Most state and local governments support water conservation and tank installation. Government approval requirements differ between local government areas, so you should consult your local government authority first.
All of our tanks are built in a quality controlled manufacturing facilities located throughout Australia. Our products are made from Australian materials that are rigorously tested to ensure they withstand harsh Australian conditions.
The South West Water Tank Solutions tanks are made from plastic that has been approved for use in holding drinking water (AS4020). However, in areas where there is reticulated water, local governments and water authorities may not recommend or allow rainwater to be used for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene. In such cases, there are filtering and treatment systems that will allow you to use rainwater as drinking water. If you have any questions, please contact the water authority or council in your area.
Our water tanks work on a simple water harvesting principle. The tanks can be used both as a storage device and as a gutter system to collect rainwater run-off.
Our water tanks are fully engineer-certified and are designed to adhere to all local government regulations and bylaws. A full Engineer Certificate is available, should your shire require it.
The attractive steel wall of our water tanks is roll-formed in our factory using only BlueScope ZINCALUME or COLORBOND steel sheeting. The tank walls are made of steel that is at least 1mm thick unless otherwise stated.
Please ensure that all building plans and shire bylaws have been followed and that your sand pad has been prepared as outlined in our pre-installation instructions. For more information, click here.
South West Water Tank Solutions recommends consulting your local council authority if you are concerned your water tank might require council approval due to its location, encroachment near boundaries, or other structures.
If council approval is required for your rainwater tank, South West Water tank Solutions will gladly contact the council on your behalf regarding details of your tank. All we need is your planning approval number.
The tank must be filled with water (usually approximately 10,000 litres). This depends on the size of the water tank being installed and whether or not the site is level. Alternatively, please let us know if you are unable to arrange this and we will organise and charge accordingly. Finally, you must have the final payment ready once the installation of your new Water Tank is complete.
Yes, South West Water Tanks are backed by a 20 year manufacturer’s warranty. Click here for more information about the warranty.
Accessories that are supplied by SWWTS but are not manufactured by us are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. However, this guarantee does not apply to colour, which may in time fade or change. Please speak with your South West Water Tank Solutions sales consultant if you have questions about our guarantee.
It is recommended that you keep your tank and system clean by regularly removing debris and pests. For information on how to maintain your tank, please visit our information page.
You can also make an appointment with us by clicking here.
All raw materials in our tanks are free of Bisphenol A (BPA), and our products are made with raw materials certified to potable water standard AS4020 and plastics & food standard AS2070.
Industrial or Chemical tanks have a thicker wall based on Hoop Design Stress calculations to determine the specific gravity (relative density) rating. These tanks are also designed with consideration to the criteria developed by Australian Standards (AS/NZS4766:2006)
We do not recommend using our poly water tanks for chemical applications that require extreme chemical resistance. The water tanks are a thinner walled design that is based upon the normal service conditions expected in rural or urban service conditions. In general, water tanks are gravity-fed, whereas industrial tanks are normally pumped.
The type of application will determine the type of tank required. It can be either industrial or water. The Southwest Water Tank Resistance chart outlines some of the most common chemicals used in Australia.
Another important factor in determining whether to choose an industrial or water tank is the type of fittings required. If the fittings required are other than the standard brass outlets and PVC overflows offered with Water tanks, then the Industrial (Chemical) tanks should be used. SWWTS sales consultants can assist you in finding the right solution for your needs.
Material such as polyethylene is flexible. The more it is heated, the more flexible it becomes. As a result, it will bulge more at elevated temperatures than at room temperatures. Polyethylene’s physical properties will begin to change as the temperature increases, compared to its original test results. It is not uncommon for a poly water tank to expand and contract.
A polyethylene tank will not be affected by freezing temperatures. However, if the tank contains liquid, make sure it has enough space for the freezing liquid to expand. Quality rotational moulding manufacturers test their products for “Low Temperature Impact Resistance”. This is a test required by AS/NZS4766 Australian Tank Standard. As part of our impact test, we conduct it at a temperature of -40C. Performing this test is one of the key steps in confirming that your polyethylene tank has been properly processed. While SWWTS’ quality assurance team conducts impact testing at this low temperature, it is recommended that you take all efforts to avoid impacting the tank, especially with sharp items, at any temperature.
Most water tanks are round or slimline in shape. Tanks with slim shapes are better for those who have limited space, while tanks with round shapes tend to have more storage space.
You can order custom-made tanks in almost any shape, which helps if you need to fit it exactly into a given space.
One of the great things that technology has brought us is the ability to make tanks in a wide range of colours. Painting the tank yourself is not recommended unless you have checked with the manufacturer that the paint will not damage the tank and will not void the warranty.
To learn more about tank colors, visit our colour offerings here.
Tanks are usually equipped with a strainer, a vented lid, an overflow, and an outlet and ball valve that make them ready to hold water.
Depending on the intended application, additional pumps, piping, fittings, first flush diverters, and/or filters may be required. There are also several other options to consider, such as additional outlets with valves and taps, water tank level gauges, signage, venting, and additional manholes.
Your tank consultant can assist you in determining what accessories you need based on your particular needs.
Installing a pump to supplement and maximize the functionality of a tank can be a good idea. It improves the water pressure which in turn saves time and enhances user satisfaction; so if the water flow from your tank is minimal or slow, then you need a pump.
It is always recommended that you have a professional assist you if you do not have any experience.
You can find a detailed installation guide here.
Well-maintained tanks can last more than 50 years.
As a rule, you should check the tank regularly (ideally every three months) to ensure that all the elements are clean and free of leaf or tree debris. A properly installed tank should have very few problems if everything is done correctly.
Roof: A roof that is being used to catch water must be kept clean of leaf matter and other debris. During the dry months, dust and leaves accumulate on the roof, so it is important that the roof is cleared before the wet season arrives.
Tree Branches: Branches can regularly grow to the point where they overhang the roof used to collect rainwater. It is important to maintain and groom these branches in order to reduce the amount of leaf matter on them.
Gutters: Usually, leaves and dirt accumulate here. Make sure the gutters are cleaned regularly.
Pre-Filtration: Maintaining and cleaning the pre-filter system is critical to ensuring that it performs optimally.
Tank Strainer: Each tank should be equipped with a tank strainer. Regularly check the strainer for leaves and tree materials, and clean it if necessary.
First Flush Diverter: Using a first flush diverter ensures that the water going into the tank is clean. For these to work effectively, they should be checked and cleaned regularly.
Base protection: It is critically important to ensure that the tank base is not being undermined by water, vermin, or vegetation.
View our tank and gutter cleaning service here.
The first thing you should do is contact the tank manufacturer. In most cases, a steel welding gun and a good tradesperson can repair your tank. Typically, a small piece of plastic is cut and welded over the damaged, split, or cracked area on the inside and outside of the tank.