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Rain tanks
People have relied on rainwater for household, landscape and agricultural water uses for centuries. As communities have become larger and more centralised, community water treatment and distribution systems have gradually replaced the collection of rainwater as our primary water supply. As we have begun to understand the need for sustainable use of water worldwide there has been a renewed interest in collecting rainwater.
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| Rain tank for roof-water collection for re-use at Tiritiri Road |
Rainwater tanks for both detention and domestic use are being used in several properties in Auckland. At one neighbourhood development potable water supply is via mains connection; however, rainwater is collected (13,500 L tanks) and re-used for toilets, laundry and external uses on 8 of the 13 houses.
Using rainwater:
- Reduces demand for mains water supply and you save on your water rates
- Reduces flooding by providing temporary storage for rainwater
- Reduces wet weather sewage overflows
- Reduces pollution of our beaches and waterways
Various regulations govern the installation and use of rain tanks and these vary with each local authority. It is advisable to contact your local authority if you are considering installing a rain tank to determine if a building or resource consent is required. Some councils offer incentives or rebates for installation of rain tanks.
New research
Recent Publications
Bracey S, Scott K, Simcock R. 2008.
Important lessons applying low-impact urban design: Talbot Park.
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In: Proceedings of NZWWA conference 15-16 May, Royal Lakeside Novotel, Rotorua 2008.
Mithraratne N, Vale R. 2007.
Rain Tanks or Reticulated Water Supply?
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Rainwater and Urban Design 2007. Sydney, 21st-23rd August 2007.
Mithraratne N, Vale R. 2007.
Conventional and alternative water supply systems: a life cycle study.
International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development 6(2): 136-146.
Available: http://www.inderscience.com/search/index.php?action=record&rec_id=14200&prevQuery=&ps=10&m=or
Scott K, Simcock R. 2007.
Talbot park case study update.
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Internal report.
Vale R, Ghosh S. 2006.
Water, Water, Everywhere…. Quantifying Possible Domestic Water Demand Savings Through The Use of Rainwater Collection from Residential Roofs in Auckland, New Zealand.
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In Proceedings of 7th International Conference on Urban Drainage Modelling and the 4th International Conference on Water Sensitive Urban Design.
Recent Presentations
Vale R, Ghosh S 2007.
Water, Water, Everywhere…. Quantifying Possible Domestic Water Demand Savings Through The Use of Rainwater Collection from Residential Roofs in Auckland, New Zealand
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Presentation at 7th International Conference on Urban Drainage Modelling and the 4th International Conference on Water Sensitive Urban Design
Landcare Research and University of Auckland 2005.
Raintanks workshop in July 2005
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Landcare Research, University of Auckland 2005.
Workshop on the use of rain tanks in urban areas
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*Papers given at 4th South Pacific Stormwater Conference on Stormwater and Aquatic Resource Protection, May 2005.
Links
New Zealand
- Waitakere City Council "Using rain water" brochure (
118 KB) - North Shore City Council "Using rain water" brochure ( 1344 KB)
International
- Rain water tanks and collection systems - GreenPlumbers (Australia Web site)
- Rain tank/use calculator - Polyworld (Australian web site)
Primary Contact
 | Robyn Simcock Email  |
Landcare Research | |
Phone: +64 9 574 4100 | |
| Details: Robyn Simcock |