1. Is the water safe to drink? Generally yes as long the rainwater collected in your tanks is clear, with no taste or smell and is derived from a well-maintained catchments system, and then you don’t have any thing to worry about. But you have to beware of a few problems like, if you live in a heavily populated area with a lot of traffic and pollution then getting rainwater collected for drinking purposes is not a very good idea for your health. You can collect rainwater in rain water tank but it is preferable to use it for gardening and daily household activities rather than human consumption.

2. How do I protect the water quality of the water tank I have installed? Most of the time proper maintenance of the water storage facility is essential to get good quality water harvested in your water tank. If you have not used the water tank for a few days, its a good idea to run the first few minutes well to get rid of the bottom sediment or pipe sediment which might have accumulated in the system. Water which has been standing for a long time can also dissolve metals from the pipe like copper and time .So it’s not really healthy to drink it but you can use it for washing and household needs.

3. Which type of water tank is good? There are a whole range of different varieties of water tanks available for your needs in the market and you can choose any variety but there are few things you have to be careful of like,

a. Some PVC pipes contain lead which is not really good for human consumptions so be careful while selecting pipe and storage systems.

b. Some householders have complained that water harvested off a metal roof reacts with water in a metal tank to create a metallic taste to the stored water.

c. Some tanks need to be flushed or washed with water before use.

d. Use a tightly fitting lid to prevent the growth of algae which needs sunlight to grow.

e. Every access point should be sealed unless in use.

f. Every water tank should be tightly sealed with a good access cover with will not allow access animals and children but can easily opened for cleaning and drainage. Make sure that its reasonable water tight for sealing against storm water drainage too.

g. Avoid using your roof as a water collection system if you have lead based paint, or tar covering or even acrylic based paints.

With an ever growing population, and the worst drought in generations, Australia is fighting water shortages more so than many other countries. Especially, rural areas are suffering, but even in the main cities people are aware that they have to ration their water usage. For that reason, households and businesses owning a water tank have become a most common sight.

In recent years, the authorities around the world have tried boosting water tank sales by offering incentives and substantial tax rebates. Governments are informing the public about the many advantages of owning your own water supply. Their efforts have been successful and water tanks are being sold like never before.

High quality, eco-friendly water tanks come in various shapes and sizes. They are manufactured from a variety of strong, weather-resistant materials and can be installed above or underground, whatever is most convenient or aesthetically pleasing. The wide range of color options will suit any environment.

Choice is wonderful, but can also bring confusion. Before ordering a particular tank collect as much information as you can. Check all advantages and disadvantages and know what impact your tank selection will have on the environment, as well as your budget.

Innovative designs suit all types of spaces. Most water tank structures are either cylindrical or slim-shaped. Their size will be determined by the required capacity. In other words, the tank volume will depend on how much water is regularly needed by the buyer.

Water tanks need to be sturdy. Therefore they are made from tough and reliable materials, such as plastic or polyethylene, fiberglass, concrete, stone, and welded, bolted, carbon or stainless steel.

Here is a list of valid reasons why you should buy a water tank, rather than an inferior model:
• Premium quality increases durability and lifespan of the product.
• A larger, more innovative product selection and the opportunity to have your tank custom built.
• The choice between corrugated or flat surfaces.
• Room for a secondary filter if you prefer additional safety.
• A selection of accessories to choose from. Fittings may include: pressure pumps, rainheads, first flush diverters, precision level gauges, filters and strainers, or ball valves.
• Both overhead tanks and underground systems are available.
• Flexible and easy installation.
• Low maintenance.
• Only requires a thorough cleaning every 2-3 years.
• Competitive prices and numerous payment options.
• A long-lasting warranty on product as well as installation.

Whenever approaching a local water tank installer or one online, always request a quote. Not only compare prices and service plans, but also review online consumer comments and learn from other people’s home improvement mistakes!

Water tanks can be useful in many ways. Rainwater, which if often collected, can be used to water the garden, fill a pond, do the laundry, flush the toilet, and take showers or baths. The usefulness is never ending and it can even save a life if a fire suddenly breaks out. For me, that is reason enough to have my own water supply!

There are various ways to respond to the water shortage, but one of the most efficient is by installing an underground water tank. The tank can be used for a number of purposes including watering the yard or gardens. You can wash the car, clean the house or driveways, or do the many other outside cleaning tasks without worrying about wasting precious water from the filtered water supply.

A Return on Your Investment

When you invest money in the stock market, you expect a return on your investment. The same is true when you invest in real estate or property upgrades. Buying and installing an underground water storage tank is a good investment in both your property and the environment. You get multiple returns on the money you spend on the tank.

Deciding to invest in a concrete water tank is a good decision for a lot of reasons. The returns you can expect from your investment are tangible and quick. You do not have to wait years to recover the cost of your investment nor do you have to wonder if the investment will actually produce. The first time the tank fills with rainwater, you will begin to see those returns in your lower water bill and when you are able to keep your yard and gardens green and growing.

Making Your Money Work For You

Your decision to invest in a hidden tank for water storage can be based on the facts.

* Your utility bill will drop because you are using rainwater instead of main water to keep your landscape watered.
* You will meet be able to easily adhere to local council water usage regulations
* You can preserve your investment in your plants.
* You are supplying your yard with chemical free water.
* You are no longer dependent on local water councils for permission to water your yard.
* You will always have a supply of water on hand in the event of a fire.
* Your property value will increase.

Taking Care of Mother Earth

Of course, one of the most important factors in deciding to invest in a hidden tank is related to the environment. All of us have an obligation to preserve natural resources to the extent possible. By recycling rain water, you are making an important contribution to the environment.

Protecting the environment is important. By directing rainwater into a storage tank, you are preventing excessive stormwater drainage that eventually hurts the watershed by wreaking havoc on banks and in streams. You are also insuring there is no unnecessary use of a scarce resource which in Australia is rain.

Deciding to invest in a hidden tank makes sense for a lot of important reasons. You will see advantages in terms of environmental protection, reduced household expenses, and the ability to maintain your property plantings. The concrete water tank is a great investment any way you look at it.

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Contrary to popular belief, solar water heating is not a new technology. Solar water heating systems have been used commercially for over a century now, with the first commercial water heater (the Climax Solar-Water Heater) going on sale in 1891 in the United States. By the year 1900, over 1600 houses in California were equipped with this solar water heater.

Due to its effectiveness and low cost, the solar water heating gained popularity until, by 1941, more than half the population of Florida was getting its hot water through solar water heaters!

Solar water heating only lost its popularity as a result of lowered electricity rates, and an aggressive campaign by Florida Power and Light to increase electrical consumption. This was done by offering electric water heaters at bargain prices. Thus Florida’s solar water heating was brought to halt.

The United States is not the only country with a solar water heating history. There are many other countries where solar water heating was used in the past and has since fallen out of use – but not all of them. In fact, currently more than ten million Japanese households heat their water using solar water heating systems. This is definite proof that it is a workable technology.

Important Facts about Solar Hot Water Heating Systems

Solar water heating can be used in any climate. Sound unbelievable? Check it out on the U.S. Department of Energy website. They say so as well. The fuel used to run a solar water heater is sunshine. And, at the time of this writing, sunshine is free – no tax has been added yet. A solar hot water heater can reduce your water heating bill by fifty to eighty percent. But with energy prices going up, the amount of savings (as compared to normal prices) will soon be even higher. Aside from reducing your energy bill right now, a solar water heating system will protect you from future energy price increases. Your heating will no longer rely on fossil fuels for electricity. When building a new home, or when refinancing, the economic aspect of this becomes even more interesting.

You can, for instance, include the cost of a solar water heater with a new thirty-year mortgage package. This would usually add up to about $13.00 -$20.00 a month. Federal income tax deductions for mortgage interest would reduce the payment for the solar water heater by about $3.00 -$5.00 per month.

If your fuel savings with a solar water heating system is $15.00 or more per month (which it likely will be) you will have reduced your monthly heating bill right then and there.

Solar water heating will significantly reduce your carbon footprint, and reduce the demand for fossil fuels which pollute the environment. Solar heaters can be installed in combination with backup systems. In fact, you could install a solar water heater next to your existing system and make it possible switch to conventional water heating whenever necessary. This way you are guaranteed always to have hot water.

Types of Solar Hot Water Heating Systems

There are two types of solar water heating systems, active solar water heating systems and passive solar water heating systems. They both work on the same principles.

The only difference is that active systems have a pump or other mechanical means of moving the water through the solar heating systems, and passive systems rely on nature’s principles: warm water rises to the top, and cold water sinks to the bottom. Therefore, with a passive solar water heating system, the water storage tank must always be positioned above the solar water heater collector.

Active Solar Hot Water Heating

There are two main designs of active water heating systems. Which one is best for you depends on the climate you live in.

There is what’s called an “indirect circulation system” which uses a non-freezing heat-transfer fluid to transfer heat from the collector to a heat exchanger (a device used to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to the water in your storage tank). This is good for colder climates.

There is also the direct circulation system, where water is simply passed through solar heat collector and then routed to the water storage tank for use. This system works fine in milder climates.

Passive Solar Hot Water Heating

Passive solar water heating systems are usually cheaper than “active solar water heating systems,” as they do not need controls or pumps to circulate the water.

But generally, they are not as effective as the active systems. If you live in a warm climate, a passive water heating system might be all you need. Passive water heating systems are also known for being very reliable.

Essentially, solar water heating systems consist of a water storage tank and its solar collectors. The solar collectors are used to collect solar energy which heats water, and the tanks store the heated water. That’s all there is to it.