Installing a rainwater tank is a smart choice for your home and the environment. We encourage home owners to install rainwater tanks, provided the installation meets safety and building regulations.
Here's how a rainwater tank can make a difference:
- It's an easy way to save on water bills, as it reduces how much tap water your household uses in the long run.
- It's a sustainable way of having a reliable source of fresh water supply right in your backyard. Perfect for household use.
- Using rainwater helps reduce the demand on local water sources.
Rainwater is great for many household uses, such as watering your garden, flushing your toilet or washing your clothes.
Here’s how to keep your rainwater clean and safe:
- Regularly remove leaves, debris, and branches from your roof and gutters.
- Put screens between your roof and the tank to keep out animals and leaves.
- Make sure the screens on the tank's inlet and overflow are clean and in good condition.
- Regularly check the filters.
- Set up a system to drain the first bit of rainwater, which might pick up contaminants from your roof.
- Consider installing a filter on your water tap to clean the water right before you use it.
- Every two or three years, check your tank for any sludge build-up and clean it out if needed.
Want more tips?
Visit EPA Victoria or Department of Health for more information. They have plenty of resources to help you make the most of rainwater at home while staying safe.
You can also contact our Sustainable Environment team on 03 9217 2170.
Your local rainwater tank supplier is a great resource for finding the perfect tank for your needs and property.
Here's what to think about when choosing a tank:
- How much are you willing to spend?
- What size tank do you need?
- How much rain do you expect to collect?
- How will you use the rainwater?
- How will you keep the tank in good shape?
- Preferred material: polyethylene, concrete, galvanised iron, or fiberglass.
- How will you connect the tank’s overflow to your existing stormwater drainage system?
When setting up and maintaining your rainwater tank, you might need a permit. Make sure to check what's required so everything is set up right.
Building permit
You need a building permit to install a rainwater tank when undertaking other building work, for example:
- adding or altering your dwelling
- building a new dwelling.
If you are doing these building works, then the tank must be installed at least 500mm from the boundary.
If you're installing a water tank without undertaking other building work, there are no siting requirements or minimum distances from your title boundaries and you don't need a permit.
Planning permit
You might need a planning permit if:
- the tank is larger than 4,500 litres
- installation requires the removal of native vegetation, excavation or earth filling
- the property is within a Heritage or Public Acquisition Overlay.
Check before you install
- Review your Certificate of Title for any restrictions on tank installation.
If you have any questions or need more help, please contact the Building and Planning department on 03 9217 2170 or buildplan@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.