Week Thirty-four - Every home must have 1000 litres

In March 2004 the South Australian State Government announced several initiatives aimed at making our State a leader in environmental reform. A number of these initiatives aim to improve the sustainability of new housing. These initiatives include the installation of plumbed rainwater tanks which became mandatory from July 2006. 

The original plan for 19 was to have a metal modular tank behind the carport and the tank for 17 tucked in the back corner. Given space is at a premium, we could have chosen slimline tanks but the decision was made to install under-deck tanks. More work is required to install the tanks and serviceability will be limited once installed but they’ll be out of sight. These will be plumbed  with an automatic device between the pumps and the downstairs toilets which switch to mains water if rainwater is not available.

So a short week without much happening. The tanks have been delivered and the plumber is booked to fit out things prior to the deck being constructed.

While there is no rock, only good clay soil, the holes to house the four 500 litre tanks need more than a spade. With tight access, specialised machinery is needed. A deal is done with the construction site down the road and the clean fill goes for a short trip.

By Thursday it looks more like a cemetery than a building site but the tanks are laid to rest.