Preliminary findings of research focusing on rainwater tank operation and maintenance indicate that the majority favour self-management of household rainwater systems.    The research,  conducted by the CSIRO on behalf of the Urban Water Security Research Alliance during 2011,  involved workshops attended by rainwater industry stakeholders with subsequent community research.  The objective of the workshops was to document various strategies for ensuring the ongoing viability of household rainwater harvesting in relation to development of future water security policy.

Water Tactics were involved in the Brisbane workshop and put forward our belief that the most effective way to ensure long-term viability was to encourage self-management of  household rainwater harvesting systems through  continued Government recognition of the contribution of rainwater to the conservation of reticulated water supply and the consideration of rainwater tank maintenance as a part of regular household maintenance.  However, there were others who suggested compulsory inspection and registration of tank owners.  You can read full details of our participation in our previous news item.

In an extract from the research findings in a letter to stakeholder workshop participants dated 18/1/12:

“Workshop discussions suggested that self-management approaches and amendments to regulations to improve design and installation were viewed as the most effective and most preferred options”.  “Regulatory approaches for ensuring ongoing maintenance, through the use of routine inspections and penalties, were assessed as the least effective and the least preferred options.”

Not surprisingly, when the stakeholder workshop outcomes were presented to community focus groups, the majority were in favour of self-management with back-up assistance when requested combined with communication to raise awareness and highlight the benefits of rainwater system maintenance.  In the research to date, there was no community support for compulsory inspections or for creating registers of rainwater tank households.

Research continues in 2012 with the aim to measure broad-scale community attitudes to rainwater tank operation and maintenance with the aim to assessing the long-term viability of  household rainwater harvesting in water conservation in Australia.  The outcomes will almost certainly confirm the preliminary findings and concur with our belief  that a vast majority favour self-management of household rainwater systems.

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Looking for specialist rainwater tank plumbing services and expert tank advice in Brisbane?  Water Tactics provide a one-stop service for rainwater tank installation, maintenance  and modification of rainwater harvesting systems.

Often, people with tank plumbing problems will think first to call a plumber.  But consider the difference with using a specialist rainwater tank plumber or rainwater professional.   As with any other service, using a specialist  means the difference in the speed of service to identify and rectify specific water tank problems and being assured of the best outcome.

Specialist rainwater tank plumbing professionals are able to identify specific rainwater tank problems quickly, offer expert advice for optimising your rainwater harvesting system  and implement solutions while minimising the cost to you.

Water Tactics wide experience with  installing rainwater tanks, water tank cleaning and maintenance services ensure that our operators can quickly identify any problems or inefficiencies with your tank system.  We work with you to provide rainwater tank plumbing solutions in order to achieve optimal rainwater harvesting system operation and maximise your rainwater capture and storage.

As tank plumbing experts, we have worked with many customers to modify and improve their rainwater harvesting as well as rectifying  problem tank systems.

Common tank problems include overflowing from the inlet; leaking rainwater tank; overflow blockage; smelly rainwater; discolored tank water and mosquitoes or midges in the tank.  Other tank plumbing problems often occur when rainwater tank pumps, Rainbank, Waterswitch or tank topup systems are not installed correctly.  Often these frustrating problems can be easily rectified.  Not-so-common problems include severe tank water contamination (often as a result of poor tank construction and/or installation) and inundation of underground tanks by floodwater.

Water Tactics is a member of the Master Plumbers Association of Queensland (MPAQ) We work in conjunction with other plumbers and  expert water professionals to provide a full range of services including:

• internal pipework camera inspections to detect pipe breakages and locate pipe leaks
• pressure testing rainwater tank wet systems
• scientific  laboratory water testing when definitive identification of water contamination is required
• rainwater filtration and water treatment advice

Visit the Water Tactics tank cleaning and tank maintenance pages to see how we operate and contact us if you have any questions.

So if you are looking for specialist rainwater tank plumbing services in Brisbane, call Water Tactics on 33248774 and we’ll be happy to help.

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Water Tactics recently attended a CSIRO research workshop on rainwater tank maintenance in Brisbane.  The aim of the workshop was to canvass the opinions of various stakeholders in the rainwater industry as to how best to ensure the longevity of rainwater harvesting systems.  This issue is critical  in order that future water security policies based on supplementation of the recticulated water supply by rainwater can rely on the projected contribution afforded by existing and future rainwater tank installations.

At the basis of the workshop discussion was the fact that all rainwater storage systems require some level of maintenance in order to ensure longevity of the system and to ensure the quality of the stored rainwater.

The strategies  examined ranged from public education campaigns to encourage DIY maintenance  right through to compulsory registration and inspection of tanks.  There was also debate on the more technical aspects of rainwater system design and implementation, aiming to improve the quality of rainwater harvesting installations and facilitate ongoing tank maintenance.

Our participation in the workshop focused on a strategy of allowing the public to monitor and maintain responsibility for their own rainwater systems while pointing out that governments need to do more in educating and empowering tank owners to maintain their tanks.

In support of this approach, we are of the opinion that:

1. Rainwater tank installations and tank owners are unique and diverse.   Any attempt to regulate and legislate some a diverse sector of the community is likely to be difficult, expensive and probably ineffective.
2. Generally, people are more motivated by positive messages that fear or negativity.
3. If  tank owners are acknowledged and commended for the contribution they are making to water conservation, there will be more motivation to protect the longevity of their rainwater systems.
4. In an increasingly regulated society, the threat of compulsory inspection is more likely to result people abandoning rainwater harvesting.
5. Currently, the majority of rainwater systems are working effectively so the best approach would be to work with the majority instead of trying to regulate or legislate for the minority situation i.e. failed tank systems.
6. Regardless of the quality of installation, all tanks systems need to be monitored and maintained.  Tank maintenance is not complex.  A rainwater system is just another household/property component for which preventative maintenance is beneficial.

In order to effect this, we consider there should be:

1. Acknowledgement that everyone with a functional rainwater tank is contributing to overall water conservation and that this contribution is valued at all times – not only during periods of drought.
2. Public education regarding the necessity to monitor and maintain rainwater tanks.
3. Promotion of rainwater tank maintenance as part of normal household maintenance.
4. Quality information to allow DIY maintenance with back-up support and access to expert assistance in case of problems.
5. Handover information kits for those purchasing a property with a rainwater harvesting system already installed.

The next phase following the CSIRO research workshop on rainwater tank maintenance is to take the proposed strategies to sectors of the community to gather data on  their response to the various suggestions.

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The following details of a commercial rainwater tank cleaning case study in Brisbane highlight the problems when poor installation during the construction and installation of a large commercial rainwater harvesting system result in unnecessary expense and inconvenience to the tank owner and the section of a community directly in contact with the stored rainwater.

The commercial rainwater tank system consists of numerous in-ground custom-built concrete tanks of a total capacity of approximately 480,000 litres at a large residential unit complex.  The rainwater is being used for toilet flushing and laundry in the individual units and for irrigation of the common garden areas.

Property administration contacted Water Tactics to inspect the rainwater system after complaints regarding the stored water quality.  Residents had experienced smelly tank water and discoloured water in the toilet and laundry.

Identifying the problems

After conducting a thorough inspection of the rainwater system, we concluded that the water problems were due to the following:

1. Absence of  pre-storage water filtration.  A gross pollutant pit is generally the minimum level of filtration required for underground tanks of this capacity and generally followed by a finer level of pre-storage water filtration.  There had been no attempt to pre-filter the rainwater.  Pre-storage filtration is fundamental in the prevention of debris from entering the tank.  Additionally, if serves to preclude the entry of vermin and mosquitoes.  The MPMSAA Rainwater Tank Design and Installation Handbook describes this requirement in detail.
2. Contamination of rainwater by cross-connection with grey water.  A grey water system had been installed with waste directed to the stormwater system.  We can only conclude this must have been an oversight in the original grey water system installation and overlooked during the plumbing inspection.
3. Significant building debris had entered the tanks during the construction phase and had not been removed prior to  the rainwater harvesting system being made operational.

A successful outcome

We were able to provide commercial tank cleaning services to successfully de-sluge, clean and disinfect all tanks.  Using confined space entry procedures and safety measures, the work was undertaken over two days.  The base causes of the rainwater contamination were identified and reported to the tank owner along with recommendations  for rectification of all issues.

Visit our website commercial rainwater tank cleaning page to find out more about our services.

Call Water Tactics on 33248774 for assistance with commercial and industrial rainwater system inspections and status reports and commercial rainwater tank cleaning in Brisbane.

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CSIRO  (Australian Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation) is currently conducting research into the environmental impact of rainwater harvesting systems.

The research – being conducted in Victoria -  aims to assist with optimising the design and implementation of rainwater harvesting systems to minimise energy use and environmental impact.  Research outcomes are due towards the end of 2011.

As stated on the CSIRO website: “Rainwater harvesting is playing an increasingly important role in urban water supply” and hence the need to ensure that maximum benefits are derived with minimal environmental impact.

You can read more about this research intothe environmental impact of  rainwater harvesting systems on the CSIRO website.

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How to clean a rainwater tank – more than just sludge removal

When we are called out to clean a rainwater tank, the first step is always to thoroughly inspect the rainwater harvesting system to identify any potential issues which may have led to degradation of  the quality of the captured and/or stored water and to recommend any system improvements to alleviate future issues.

Not to say we always find issues.  Most tank owners are confident maintaining their rainwater systems and call us out when they have noticed a sediment build-up, indicating that it is time for a tank clean (about every 2-3 years as a rule).

One common misconception to note:  to clean a water tank, it does not have to be empty. We prefer if there is some water in the bottom of the tank (the amount varies depending on the capacity of the tank) or we can clean the tank when it is full.  Our cleaning process operates with minimal water loss under normal circumstances.

If  the tank is already empty, we can still clean it.  But if you know your tank requires cleaning, don’t wait until it is completely empty.  Best to have the tank clean and ready for the next rainfall capture.

The basic process of how to clean a water tank involves:

• Removal of the sludge layer from the bottom of the tank
• Filtering the remaining water to removed suspended particles
• Sanitising the water using a non-chlorine food-grade water disinfectant

Full details can be found on our tank cleaning page.

And of course, our tank cleaning service also includes inspection and advice or just a chance to talk over any queries you have about your rainwater system or water filtration options.

Our view is that it is equally important to help the customer better understand their entire rainwater harvesting system to eliminate future problems and increase efficiency as it is to clean the tank.

If you want to know more about how to clean a rainwater tank, just call us on 07 333248774

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People often contact us when they have noticed dirty rainwater and/or contaminated rainwater.  The first thing to do in any case is to undertake a thorough investigation of the rainwater harvesting system to ascertain what is causing the rainwater contamination or giving the appearance of ‘dirty rainwater‘.

Dirty rainwater

Dirty looking rainwater can simply be caused by tannins from vegetation breakdown which have ’stained’ the water.  While this does not necessarily indicate a serious problem, rainwater tainted by tannins is unsightly and can cause staining of laundry and plumbing fixtures.  There are ways to remove tannin from rainwater if it is not possible to eliminate the source.

Tank water will also appear dirty if built-up sediment from the bottom of the tank is being drawn through the outlet.  In this case, we would recommend our tank cleaning service.

Contaminated rainwater

Rainwater contamination is generally a more serious problem depending on the source of the contamination.  Contaminated water may or may not be discoloured but will generally result in an odour or ‘smelly tank water‘.  Contamination may occur due to:

• Bacterial contamination due to dead birds, animals, rodents entering the tank or on the rainwater catchment
• Faecal matter on the rainwater catchment washing into the tank
• Groundwater entering underground tanks or wet/charged systems via pipe breakage or incorrect installation
• Cross-contamination from the sewerage system (rare – but this has occurred due to poor installation)

In many cases, we are able to save the majority of the water and restore the health of the tank.  However, in cases of severe rainwater contamination, we may recommend draining the water then thoroughly clean and sanitise the tank.

If you are concerned about dirty rainwater or contaminated rainwater, give us a call on 07 33248774 and talk it over with us.

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The Hendra virus was a major topic of discussion in the national media this week with some reports broaching the question “Can Hendra virus exist in water tanks?” due to rainwater catchments being contaminated with bat and flying fox droppings.

One program on Brisbane ABC radio (ABC 612 Mornings 28/7/11) interviewed a tank cleaning company representative  and sought a range of views from tank owners on this topic. While drawing no conclusions about the virus itself in relation to tank water, the suggestion of possible association has the potential to instill an element of doubt and fear.

Quite often, the initial alarming story-line is all the general public will ‘hear’.  There is no current evidence of the Hendra virus being found in rainwater tanks or even that the disease can be transmitted via water.  So far, this is a precautionary query only because so little is really known about this rare and deadly disease.  To keep this issue in perspective, a few points must be considered:

• Health authorities admit that they do not fully understand the Hendra virus or its transmission but it is thought that the disease is transmitted by direct animal-to-animal contact.  Further research is ongoing.
• Some areas of government have already considered and investigated this possibility in rural areas.   Rockhampton Regional Council has published a document addressing the issues of flying foxes and rainwater tanks and is available via the Council’s  website. See  http://www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/Council_Services/Animal_Management The Council makes recommendations to keep rainwater safe for drinking including regular tank maintenance and water treatment.
• Rainwater has been and will continue to be the sole source of household water supply for countless people in areas where there is no reticulated water supply. Proper management of rainwater harvesting systems ensures a safe and sustainable water supply.

While it is vital to investigate and assess any possible health risk in relation to all water supplies, it is equally important to ensure that any misinformation is addressed and that we don’t allow unfounded fears to detract from the important contribution rainwater harvesting makes to environmental sustainability.

Note: Water Tactics do not recommend drinking tank water in areas where a potable water supply is available. Tank water used for drinking should be adequately treated and/or filtered to remove any potential contaminants.

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The National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative (NGRI) is officially ending.  An announcement made on May 10 by the Australian Government marked the end of the federally-funded rebates for installation of household rainwater and greywater systems.

Householders who purchased systems prior to May 10 2011 may still apply for the rebate but applications must be received before November 10 2011.

The NRGI guidelines and application form are available via the Department of sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities website www.environment.gov.au/water/programs/nrgi/index.html or assistance can be sought by calling 1800 218 478 or sending an email to nrgi@environment.gov.au.

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On 20/3/11, the Sunday Mail ran a story on the state of rainwater tanks in SEQ, highlighting a number of problems and asked Water Tactics to provide input regarding rainwater tank maintenance issues.  In the article, there was a particular emphasis on the risk of mosquito breeding in tanks and the pontial for spreading mosquito-borne disease such as dengue fever. See the full story

While there is a seasonal concern regarding the potential of mosquitoes to breed in ‘failed’ rainwater systems, as always, our stand is that properly maintained rainwater systems pose no greater threat of mosquito breeding than the myriad of other water pooling sources in the average back yard.

Some people still do not acknowledge that rainwater systems DO require maintenance.  It is not extensive but like any other property asset, a rainwater tank and pump will require attention to avoid problems and to ensure the maximum advantage is made of the water conservation potential of a rainwater system.  A major problem is that during the drought and rebate period, the public were actively encouraged to install rainwater tanks but in comparison, there has been scant regard paid to educating the new tank-owners to the necessity for rainwater tank maintenance.

Property developers must also take responsibility for ensuring that rainwater tanks are installed in new properties in such a way as to facilitate maintenance and cleaning in the future.

Most of the routine maintenance can be undertaken by the householder.  See our basic maintenance guidlines. There are professional rainwater service providers – such as Water Tactics – to assist in cases where the householder is unable to undertake maintenance; in case of more complex issues and when the tank requires removal of accumulated sediment every few years.

The only reason governments will be justified in imposing compulsory inspection fees on tank owners is if there is negligence on a grand scale and a real public health risk.  We shouldn’t need to get to that situation.   Of course there are always some people who won’t do the right thing but the potential danger is possibly being overstated to drive home a point.  Decommissioned tanks don’t have to become a mosquito breeding danger; they can be drained and downpipes re-diverted back to stormwater leaving only an eye-sore and wasted potential.  That is the biggest shame!

Rainwater harvesting is a simple and effective means of water conservation.  In one of the driest continents on earth, it makes too much sense to allow negligence and fear to turn the tide of public opinion away from it.  Maintenance is the key to successful rainwater harvesting.

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