Stormwater washes pollution into local rivers and streams
Even though Brisbane and the Gold Coast get the most rain of all the capital cities water conservation is still an important issue. We all know rainwater watertanks are one of the best ways to save water but they have other benefits too.
The Brisbane council (and all councils for that matter) encourage rainwater watertanks and first flush rainwater filters but have some strict guidelines to prevent insects entering and breeding in water tanks. It is very important to make sure all tank openings are properly guarded with insect proof mesh or other coverings. Mosquitoes will also breed in any place where water is pooling so also make sure your gutters have the correct falls to prevent any ponding.
Using Rainwater tanks in Brisbane and the Gold Coast will not only help ease water problems but it will also reduce the amount of stormwater run- off. With so many hard surfaces found in cities these days the stormwater can’t get absorbed into the ground so easily. The run- off can cause erosion problems and also wash rubbish, chemicals and other pollutants into local creeks and ponds. Installing a tank can help retain stormwater on your property and reduce stormwater problems.
When deciding how much water you need to store in your tank you need to consider the climate and rainfall. Brisbane and all of the Queensland’s East coast get good rainfall all year round. This is good news because it means you don’t need to account for long periods without rain. Our water tank design guide has more information about rainfall and calculating how much water you use so you can decide how many Supertanks and first flush rainwater filters you need.
The council offers some good rebates for rainwater tanks. They offer $900 for 3000- 4999 litres and $1150 for over 5000 L. (12 Supertanks) Both rebates require the tanks to be plumbed into your house for internal use. The Brisbane council has several other rebates available and they may change from time to time so check the Brisbane Council website for more information about water tanks and rebates.
The Queensland Government also offers rebates under the Home and Garden WaterWise Rebate Scheme. The offer up to $1000 towards water tanks, pumps, diverters and other direct costs of installing a tank. Please see the Queensland Government website for more information on rainwater tanks and water rebate schemes.
This rebate does NOT apply to new homes which require mandatory water saving targets as these homes typically have water tanks installed already and the developer may offer incentives directly to help cover the additional costs.