Essential Factors that Determine the Ideal Size of a Rainwater Storage Tank
Although rainfall has declined by 16% and 12% in the Southwest and Southeast areas of Australia, respectively, since 1970, it has increased across Northern parts of the country over the same time. Therefore, if you live in Australia's Northern regions, you need to invest in a rainwater harvesting system, especially with piped municipal water increasingly becoming unreliable. However, you should ensure that the tank you buy for installation satisfies your water needs, which starts with the correct sizing. Here are factors that dictate the ideal size of a rainwater storage tank.
Water Usage
How much water do you use on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis? It is a crucial question to ask yourself, especially if you receive adequate rain throughout the year. By establishing your water usage patterns, you can buy a rainwater storage tank accommodates enough water to satisfy your needs. You can get the information from your historical water bills since they indicate your household's consumption. The mains water hose meter is another excellent source of information to help you estimate domestic water consumption. With that data, you can buy the right size of tank to hold enough water for your needs at any particular time.
Average Local Rainfall
The amount of rainfall your local town receives also determines how much water to harvest and the size of the rainwater tank to buy. It is easy to get local rainfall data from government and private weather services, such as the Bureau of Meteorology. The information is crucial because it saves your money and unnecessary space usage. For instance, if you live in a region that receives rainfall a couple of months a year, you need a large rainwater tank to harvest enough water during the short wet season and store enough to last you throughout the dry season. However, if your local area receives sufficient rainfall throughout the year, then a small water tank is enough.
Roof Size
Installing a small rainwater tank if you have a large roof is counterproductive and can waste resources. A large roof increases the surface area for rainwater collection and consequently the amount of water collected. Ideally, the size of a rainwater tank should be proportional to your roof size. Use your home's architectural plan to calculate the size of your roof. Overhead mapping software is also an excellent tool for calculating a roof's surface area. Vendors can advise you on the ideal size of a rainwater tank based on your roof's surface area.
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