How Do Water Tanks Work

Are your water bills making you wince? You’re not the only one. Heaps of Aussie families are jumping on the water tank bandwagon to slash costs and secure their water supply. But how do water tanks actually work, and should you bother getting one? Here’s the real deal, minus the sales pitch.

What’s the Deal: How Do Water Tanks Work?

It’s pretty clever when you think about it. Rain hits your roof, rolls down the gutters, and instead of disappearing down the storm drain, it gets captured and stored for later use.

The magic happens with a first-flush diverter – this nifty device kicks out the first bit of water that washes off your roof (you know, the stuff mixed with leaves and debris). Once that’s gone, clean water flows into your tank. You’ll also have a quality filter and an overflow set up so that if your tank is full, the water will go to the stormwater drain and stay away from your property’s foundations.

When you need water from your tap, a pump sucks it up from the tank and pushes it through your pipes. The key is having enough pressure – either your tank sits up high or you’ve got a decent pump doing the heavy lifting (or both). A water tank is like having your own personal water reservoir right in your backyard.

Popular Types of Water Tanks

Poly Tanks

These are what most people go for these days. They’re cheap, light, and do the job for 10-15 years. With a choice of available colours, you can pick a cone that matches your house. Most people put them above ground, but they can be placed underground.

Concrete Tanks

Built out of concrete and placed above or in-ground, they’ll possibly outlast you and help keep your water naturally cool. These water tanks are more expensive upfront but pretty much bulletproof.

Steel Tanks

Tougher than poly and cheaper than concrete, they’re made from steel so they’re durable and lightweight. Steel tanks can be installed above or below the ground and must be properly coated to keep contaminants at bay. 

Bladder Tanks

These are made for people with zero space. They squish under decks or similar spaces and expand when full. While they only hold limited water (generally up to around 5,000 litres), you can install multiple bladder tanks to get a larger level of rainwater storage for your site.

Great Uses for Water Tanks

Not everyone needs the same setup or purpose for their water tank. Here are some common ways Geelong locals use their tanks:

• Garden and lawn watering is a popular reason to install a water tank. 
• Toilet flushing – we flush around 3-11 litres of water down our loo each time we use the toilet (depending on the cistern and flush type). Using stored water can make a big difference to your annual water bills.
• Washing your clothes.
• Pool and spa top-ups, especially during the summer when evaporation levels are higher. 
• Fire protection – having thousands of litres on standby gives firefighters options and could save your home.

Why Use a Plumber to Install Your Water Tank System?

YouTube makes everything look easy, but water tank installation isn’t a weekend warrior job. It’s best to use a plumber to install your water tank so you comply with Australian regulations and don’t have any problems down the track.

If you’re unsure where to start, these water tank installation tips will give you a clear idea of what’s involved and why getting it right matters.

• Your plumbing connections need to meet Australian standards – this also ensures any insurance claims can be honoured if something goes wrong.
• If you get pump sizing wrong, you’ll either have low water pressure or an electricity bill that makes you cry.
• First-flush diverters need to be set up properly so you don’t store contaminated water.
• Council approvals are often required, especially for bigger systems or when you’re connecting to mains water.

Ready to Get Your Water Tank Sorted?

Water tanks make sense for most Australian homes. They’ll save you money, give you water security, and help the environment – if they’re installed properly.

We’ve been installing water tanks around Geelong, the Surf Coast, and Bellarine Peninsula for nearly 20 years. Don’t risk a dodgy DIY disaster. Contact us for a quote. We’re fully licensed, insured, and have the water tank expertise you need.