Rain Harvesting

What is rainwater harvesting?

Rainwater harvesting (also called roofwater harvesting) involves the collection, storage and distribution of rainwater from the roof, for use inside and outside the home or business.

How can rainwater be used?

Australia is the driest continent on earth and in most rural communities rainwater is the only supply of water for human consumption. Australians have used rainwater for many years as their source of water for all requirements - drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry, toilet flushing through to watering the garden. This is also true for many other communities around the world. Nowadays, even when mains or reticulated water supplies are available to communities, many people choose to use rainwater that is collected from the roof and stored in tanks or other vessels to supply their water requirements. Rainwater is an ideal source for our water requirements and momentum behind rain harvesting is building.

Rainwater is a safe and sustainable water supply

Rainwater that is captured and stored correctly is a safe, economical and sustainable source of quality water. Safety measures can be applied to the manner in which rainwater is captured, stored and dispensed. In fact some people argue that rainwater is safer than water supplied through mains or reticulated water systems. Our mains water is typically stored in dams, treated with chemicals such as chlorine to kill of bacteria and make it safe, and then pumped through a network of pipes throughout the community. It makes sense to catch the rain that falls for free without chemicals.

Main benefits of using rainwater

Significant economic, social and environmental benefits can be achieved by using rainwater. By using Rainwater Harvesting systems to supply water for some, or indeed all of our requirements, you can reduce your dependence on mains water. Our water supplies are falling and water restrictions are in place in many communities to reduce our overall water usage and protect our supplies. There is no better quality water available naturally than rainwater. Some say there are health benefits to using rainwater which is not treated with chemicals like our mains water is. Rainwater falls for free - once you have installed a rain harvesting system, you use less mains water and can reduce your water bills. Governments and Water Boards will increase water prices as they look to recover the true costs of providing water to the community. The cost to the community to supply mains or reticulated water services is becoming more expensive every year. The construction of dams, pipes and treatment plants is huge and ultimately as tax and rate-payers, we foot this cost. Rainwater Harveting reduces the significant damage to our creeks, water habitats and organisms caused by stormwater runoff. Some Australian State Governments have introduced legislation mandating new standards of energy and water efficiency ratings that must be incorporated into new dwellings. Local administrators have also introduced guidelines for safe water usage systems. Rain Harvesting Pty Ltd has worked in conjunction with authorities to establish these guidelines and has developed a range of patented products that can be used in conjunction with roofing, gutters, downpipes and rainwater tanks to provide complete rainwater solutions.

Blue Mountain Mesh™ protects the home, reduces maintenance and improves the quality of rainwater collected and stored in water tanks.

• Keeps leaves, debris and vermin out of gutters
• Avoids a major fire risk
• Eliminates mosquito breeding habitats
• Improves water quality when collecting rainwater
• All steel - long lasting and FIRE PROOF
• Custom made to order
• Suits all roof types with over 20 colours available
• DIY or professional installation

Rain Filters have been designed and engineered specifically for use with rain harvesting systems. Whilst ‘pre-treatment devices’ (such as rain heads and First Flush diverters) are critical to keep leaves, debris and other pollutants out of the rainwater tank, Rain Filters are installed typically after, and sometimes before the pump, to provide extra confidence in rainwater quality.

Rain Filters systems are easy to install and feature heavy duty filter housings with UV resistant components and corrosion resistant fittings. A unique three-piece bowl system ensures long life with brass inserts and connections for the inlet/outlet fittings providing strong, watertight connections.

The Leaf Eater® range of rain heads from Rain Harvesting Pty Ltd are the first to incorporate significant changes to these early designs and make the rain heads practically self cleaning. They feature multiple screens to deflect leaves and debris away from the flow of water and keep mosquitoes and vermin out of the pipe system. Not only do they protect the home, they are ideal for fitting to each downpipe that is connected to water storage tanks.

Choosing the right rain head

The type of rain head required will depend on a variety of factors including:

1. The type of pipe system you have (either "wet" or "dry"). In "wet" systems, a mosquito proof screen of no more than 1mm must be fitted to prevent moquitoes breeding in water in the pipes.

2. The space you have to work with. It is important to install the rain head and still maintain adequate fall of the pipes to the tank. This will ensure that water flows freely to the tank and does not 'back up' in the pipes.

3. The amount of rainfall for the area and the extent of leaf and debris build up in the gutters.

4. Personal preference for the a particular rain head design.

The Leaf Eater® range of rain heads:

• prevent blocked gutters or flooded eaves
• deflect leaves and debris away from the flow of water
• eliminate a fire hazard
• prevent debris, mosquitoes and vermin entering the water system
• improve rainwater quality
• reduce tank maintenance

Fitting an appropriately sized First Flush Water Diverter is critical to achieve good quality water. Water Diverters improve water quality, reduce tank maintenance and protect pumps by preventing the first flush of water, which may contain contaminants from the roof, from entering the tank.

When it rains, water slowly builds up in the roof guttering system before it exits through the downpipe. The first flush of water from the roof can contain amounts of bacteria from decomposed insects, skinks, bird and animal droppings and concentrated tannic acid. It may also contain sediments, water borne heavy metals and chemical residues, all of which are undesirable elements to have in a water storage system.

The Rain Alert is a wireless measurement device that allows you to monitor the level of your tank/s from the comfort of your own home.

A Transmitter fits to the top of your tank/s and a Receiver is plugged into a powerpoint at a convenient location, such as the kitchen, bathroom, garage or shed.

• Tank levels continuously displayed on a small LCD Panel
• Panel can be up to 200 metres from tank!
• No wires, probes, dipsticks or floats required
• Suitable for all vented tanks up to 3 metres in height
• Quick and easy to install