The term "off-grid" traditionally refers to not being connected to the electrical grid, but can also include other utilities like water, gas, and sewer systems, and can scale from residential homes to small communities.
Two percent of Australians – over 500,000 people, currently live off-grid.
This is probably the most common question that people ask.
While there is no standard answer, we can tell you the questions that you need to think about to get to an answer.
When making a poly tank, the quality of the raw materials, the way the raw materials are processed, and the production parameters of time and temperature all have a profound impact on tank quality. Inconsistencies in the end-to-end manufacturing process can result in weaknesses in the finished water tank.
Water tanks can be made from a variety of different materials including steel, concrete, fibre glass and polyethylene. Each of these materials has its pros and cons but it is generally accepted that the best all-round material is polyethylene or poly. Not all poly tanks are equal however, and the key benefits of plastic tanks are only fully realised in high-quality products.
Still water is essential to the breeding cycle of mosquitoes. Two of the most common breeding grounds for mosquitoes are water tanks and clogged gutters. If you are purchasing a rainwater tank, you should check with your local council to see if you need to mosquito-proof it. Gutter mesh systems are the best way to ensure that your gutters remain leaf free, and water can drain easily.
Urban development increases the number of surfaces covered by water-resistant materials such as asphalt, concrete, brick, stone, and rooftops.
These surfaces do not allow water to pass through them and result in an increased volume of stormwater runoff. This increased runoff may overwhelm the existing drainage system and increase the potential for flooding that can present a hazard to people or cause significant damage to property.
For people building properties on the urban fringe or in rural areas, it is quite likely that you will not have a mains water supply. While there are no definitive statistics about the number of Australian homes that do not have access to a mains water supply, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that 22% of households outside capital cities rely on rainwater.
At Rapid Plas, we are often asked whether greywater can be used on a residential property and whether greywater can be stored in a water tank.
If you are contemplating a rainwater harvesting system, before you do anything, you should always think about the end-game - what do you want to use the water for? This will determine the size and sophistication of the system and enable you to design and configure the system that will meet your goals.
