Development Services

Guidelines for rainwater tank installation for properties

outside the reticulated water supply area
Fact Sheet C

Pine Rivers district requires all dwellings and commercial buildings outside the reticulated water supply area to
have rainwater tanks for the collection of water for the property’s amenity and use.

Rainwater uses
Rainwater can be used for all internal and external purposes such as supplying plumbing fixtures, hose taps and
maintaining a fire fighting reserve.

Rainwater tank capacity

In line with Council’s Local Law 29, the minimum capacity required for a dwelling is 45,000 litres.
To help manage bushfires Council may apply conditions to subdivided land requiring properties to be provided
with a water storage facility. Contact Council to find out if your property has been conditioned in this way.

Materials and products

Materials and products used to install a rainwater tank must comply with the national plumbing products
certification scheme and be of an approved type as specified in the Manual of Authorisation Procedures for
Plumbing and Drainage Products MP 52 and/or Australian Technical Specification ATS 5200.
All water supply system components being used with rainwater tanks must comply with the Plumbing and
Drainage Act 2002 and public health requirements.
It is the responsibility of designers, manufacturers, suppliers and installers to verify the suitability of products for
their specific application.
These products shall clearly show Standards Marking Compliance, WaterMark Compliance or Type Test Mark
Compliance.
Tanks are available in a wide range of materials including polyethylene, galvanised steel, stainless steel,
fibreglass or concrete. All of these materials are suitable – providing the tanks have been manufactured
specifically for the collection of rainwater.

Rainwater tank openings

Rainwater tank openings are to have suitably constructed barriers which prevents the entry of children, animals,
insects and rubbish. All tanks are to be constructed in a manner which stops surface stormwater and
groundwater from entering.

Installation of rainwater tank

When installing a tank, it is recommended that competent advice is obtained from a builder, engineer or
architect, to ensure the site can carry the weight of the tank when it is filled with water. Existing retaining walls
may need further engineering examination.
All underground tanks in areas with a lot of sub-surface water are to be designed and installed in a manner which
prevents movement from uplift.
Underground tanks are to be located more than 6 metres from on-site sewerage treatment systems.

Overflow from rainwater tank

Rainwater tank placement and tank overflows must be designed to ensure stormwater does not pond under
building floors or flood around foundations and footings of buildings. Excess moisture around buildings could
provide potential risk of rotting timber floors or corroding metal fittings and reinforcement in concrete slabs.
The following measures need to be adopted to ensure building integrity and health and safety measures are not
compromised:
• To ensure the tank overflow outlet does not surcharge due to potential downstream blockage, there must
be a physical air break on the outlet from the tank overflow before connecting to the stormwater
drainage system. (This will also act as a visual inspection point to assist in trouble-shooting trickle top up
valve failures if installed).
• The tank overflow must be connected to the existing stormwater system or kerb and channel, or Council
inter-allotment stormwater pit, or on-site stormwater dispersion system. (Ensure the existing stormwater
system can manage the flow increase before connection to the system).
• If no Council stormwater system exists and the property falls away from the street, the tank overflow
may have to be drained to an on-site stormwater dispersion system.
This method of dispersing stormwater is the least preferred and will only be considered after all other methods
have been excluded.

Leaf diverter (optional)

A screened downpipe rainhead can be installed on each downpipe.
The screen mesh must have openings no smaller than 4mm and no larger than 6mm and shall be designed to
shed leaves or installed to prevent leaves entering the tank.

First flush device (optional)

A first flush device can be installed adjacent to the tank inlet. The device does not allow the first discharge of
rainwater to enter the tank thus enhancing water quality. The first flush water is discharged to the overflow
drainage system. These devices are commercially available.

Pumps
All rainwater tank pumps must be installed so as noise levels do not create a noise nuisance to occupants and/or
any neighbouring properties.
The plumbing system is to be design with a suitably selected pump to ensure that the maximum static pressure
at any outlet or fixture does not exceed 500kPa and the minimum pressure at the most disadvantaged outlet or
fixture is not less than 50kPa at the minimum flow rate required (Refer AS3500.1 2003).

Mosquito control
If not constructed or maintained correctly, rainwater storage tanks provide an ideal breeding site for mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes can be responsible for the transmission of harmful viruses. To prevent the entry of mosquitoes into
the rainwater storage tank, all openings to the tank must be covered with mosquito-proof gauze with a mesh size
of 1mm or less and made from a compatible material to prevent tank deterioration.
It will be the owner’s responsibility to maintain the tank according to the Health Regulation 1996 Part 8 Mosquito
Prevention and Destruction. If you detect mosquito larvae in your rainwater storage tank, inspect all inlets and
outlets and repair any breaks or tears with a mesh gauge screen of 1mm or less. It is recommended that you
contact Council if you require further assistance or advice on mosquito prevention.

Maintaining your rainwater tank

Tanks fitted with leaf-guards generally keep out vegetation, insects and small animals. However, these tanks still
require maintenance to ensure effective operation.
Maintenance of the tank and associated filters, gutters and downpipes is required to ensure quality water is
delivered from the tank.
Typical Maintenance
• Keep gutters and roof clear of leaves. If trees are overhanging the roof, check the roof and gutters more
frequently and consider removing any of the overhanging limbs.
• If a first flush device is fitted, ensure correct operation.
• Tanks should be examined for sludge accumulation at least every 2-3 years. If there is sludge covering
the bottom of the tank, it should be removed by siphon or by complete emptying of the tank.
Professional tank cleaners are available in some areas.
• Ensure that the strainers and insect proofing are in good condition and all lids are tight fitting.
• Disinfect as required.

For further information, please contact Council

on (07) 3480 6666 or refer to the enHEALTH
brochure available for download on our website
www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au.