Learn about rainwater tanks

The corrugated, steel rainwater tanks made by BlueScope Water have been a common sight in rural Australia for a long time.

For many farming families the big, round tanks are often their only source of drinking water. These families learn to be very careful about how much water they use.

Now that there is a water shortage throughout Australia, these tanks are also being used by families in our cities.

Because blocks of land in the suburbs are much smaller than farm yards, the tanks are made in smaller sizes. There’s even a skinny shape to fit against the wall of a house, under the eaves, and the tanks are made in many colours.

How does it work?

How does a water tank in the home help our country?

• If we use rainwater from a tank in our backyard for some things, then we don’t have to use as much water from the pipes which run to our homes from the big dams.
  
  We can use our tank water just for the garden or even for washing machines and toilets. This cuts the amount of water a house needs to take from the dams.
  
  
• Collecting the rainwater which runs off the roof of your home reduces the amount that runs down the drains into our stormwater pipes. This is important in 2 ways;
  
  
  • it helps reduce flooding
  • less stormwater running into our rivers and oceans will keep them cleaner.
  
  
• Using a rainwater tank helps us remember just how important water is to us all.
  
  
• Because a tank is only filled by the rain, we learn not to waste water.

For more information on water tanks go to www.bluescopewater.com.au