3 Major Considerations When Sizing Water Tanks

You should not select a tank size randomly if you want to collect rainwater on your property. Selecting the tank size randomly can result in the purchase of a tank that is too large or too small for the application. This article discusses some of the major factors that can help you to decide the most appropriate tank size for your needs.

Rainfall Data

You need to know how much rainfall is received in your area each year. This information should be aggregated over several decades. Get data that is as specific for your area as possible since the data for your region may not give an accurate picture of the amount of rainfall in your exact area. This data will provide a rough idea of how much water will be available for harvesting. For example, you want to buy a 10,000-litre water tank only if you live in an area where it will be possible to fill that tank easily.

The Catchment Area

It is also vital for you to think about the surface area from which you will harvest that rainwater. How large is your roof? It may be hard for you to fill a large tank if the roof on your house is small. Only account for the portion of the roof from which you can collect water. Some people may find it hard to place rain gutters on certain sections of the roof due to site restrictions. Green roofs (roofs on which plants are grown) can also reduce the effective catchment area. Many water tank suppliers provide calculators which can help you to determine how much water you can harvest from your roof each year. Use those tools when sizing your tank.

Your Needs

Must you harvest large volumes of water just because ample rainfall exists in your area? Harvesting too much water can create problems, such as the development of odours when the water stays in the tank without being used. You may also spend more money than is necessary on a large tank which you don't need.

First establish how much water you need in a given year so that you can select a tank that is just large enough to store sufficient water to last till the next rainy season. Calculate how much water you use in a day, which includes water used in activities like flushing toilets, watering the lawn and garden as well as washing clothes. Multiply that daily requirement by the number of days in the months when no rain will fall.

It may not be easy for you to work out the perfect balance between the factors above. Get help so that you don't buy the largest tank when the smallest version would have been sufficient. 

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