Given Australia’s frequent droughts, underground tanks have become vital for many homeowners and businesses as an innovative water-saving solution to maximise their resources. Gathering rainwater from rooftops and other harvesting fields for further use like irrigation, watering livestock and washing cars, the reservoirs are central to an eco-friendly water usage approach. Thus, let’s examine how these underground tanks operate.
Inside rainwater harvesting systems
Underground tanks are installed below the ground’s surface alongside drainpipes to repurpose rainwater runoff from your home’s guttering and downpipes. The stored rainwater can then be pumped back out of the tank whenever needed for reuse around the garden or home. Made of durable plastic or concrete, the tanks are specifically engineered for subsurface installation. Constructed from durable materials such as high-density polyethene plastic or reinforced concrete, these sturdy materials allow the tanks to withstand the pressure and weight of the surrounding soil covering them when buried underground.
The key components that make up these rainwater harvesting systems include:
Inlet and overflow pipes: These PVC pipes connect to downpipes, directing rainwater into the tank, while the overflow pipe regulates capacity.
Tank material: Tanks are commonly made of plastic or concrete, as the material must be robust and suitable for underground conditions.
Access points: Access maintenance holes with lids allow the tank to be inspected and maintained as needed.
Pump: A submersible pump extracts water from the tank, which can be connected to livestock watering points, power washers or irrigation.
Sealing: Professional installation ensures tanks are fully sealed without leakage to prevent groundwater infiltration.
Benefits of underground tanks
Installing a rainwater tank underground provides numerous advantages. These tanks offer vastly greater storage capacity since they are not limited by space constraints above ground, enabling greater rainwater harvesting capacity to meet household and irrigation demands while maximising property space efficiency. Furthermore, underground burial naturally insulates the tanks, keeping the water cooler and hindering algae and bacterial growth. Without exposure to the sun, there is far less evaporation loss, so more rainwater can be captured and retained. Other benefits of such tanks are that they present no risk of people falling in or drowning and have no visible impact on landscape design. In summary, underground tanks provide the ideal rainwater solution, combining maximum water savings with practicality, safety and aesthetics.
Choosing the right supplier
Choosing the right tank size for your needs is essential before you invest in a rainwater harvesting system. Thus, find a reputable supplier in your area who can assess your household demand and site conditions to recommend the optimal tank. To avoid issues like destabilisation, cracks or leakage risks, it is essential to use a qualified professional installer for underground tanks. Proper installation requires excavation and preparation of a level site, connection of pipes, sealing of the tank and backfilling with an appropriate material like gravel. Contact a leading manufacturer and supplier in NSW today to find the perfect rainwater harvesting system to keep your garden lush for many years.
