SUPADIVERTA - syphonic rainwater diverter

WATER TANKS

OTHER HANDY HINTS

SELECTING THE RIGHT TANK

Before purchasing a tank, visit the web site of a reputable dealer who is an agent for several manufacturers and who lists the capacity and dimensions of each tank sold. You can then best select the most appropriate tank for your selected site. The rule with tanks is:
THE BIGGER, THE BETTER!!!
A recommended site is www.m2raintanks.com.au

Ideally, tanks should be optioned with the draw off outlet fitted a minimum 100mm above the tank's base and syphonic fed inlets should be located at a similar height. If not using SUPADIVERTA or a suitable pre tank filtering system, sediment buildup can be rapid and a pump connected to a low outlet can draw sludge/grit. A huge number of tanks have pumps connected to gate valves fitted as low as 40mm above the bottom of the tank and many householders are unaware of their tank's outlet height or the existence of tank sediment! ONLY A DEDICATED DRAIN/CLEANING OUTLET SHOULD EVER BE FITTED AT A LOW POINT. This important recommendation is repeated elsewhere.

COUNCIL REGULATIONS

Avoid nasty surprises! Prior to purchase, check local regulations which may include possible height, colour and heritage restrictions, a requirement for a building permit to install a large tank or erect a tank stand, distance from fence lines and pump noise restrictions as well as tank construction material requirements in fire prone areas.

DO NOT BUY RUBBISH

Buy quality! A cheap tank can quickly turn into an expensive mistake. For expert advice, AQUATREK recommends a visit to www.watertanks.org.au This is the website for the Water Tank Group, a division of the Association of Rotational Moulders of Australia. A recommended download from this highly credible site is an independent report; “Solid advice about how to evaluate an imported tank”.

TANK LOCATION

Many homeowners select the tank location but forget about pipework that may form an archway between the downpipe and the tank. This has been particularly true with slimline tanks purchased to install `unobtrusively’ next to a fence. SUPADIVERTA allows previously installed ugly and obtrusive pipework or undesirable wet systems to be easily replaced at low cost and provides the option of increasing rainwater collection by legally harvesting additional downpipes. Full water tanks are heavy and should never be located immediately behind a retaining wall on the soil or material being retained! Full tanks can also swell; NEVER EVER site an empty tank against a house or other structures!

PLASTIC OR STEEL

Well built steel tanks will last much longer than plastic tanks and plastic tanks should never be used in fire prone areas. Tanks mounted on wooden stands are also not a good idea in such areas!

EVAPORATIVE AIR CONDITIONERS

Domestic units generally discharge between 6 and 12+ litres per hour but some newer models can be as low as 4 litres per hour. WELS ratings do not apply to these appliances at this time.
Householders are tempted to collect the discharge and use it to water their garden but due prudence is advised as THE DISCHARGE IS NECESSARY TO PURGE THE UNIT OF BUILT UP SALTS! While this discharge is a concern to many householders, the amount pales into insignificance when compared to the average 60 litres of water used per hour when operating the average domestic unit!

With the profusion of trendy dark rooves in the southern states, Aquatrek believes the use of heat reflective roof paint should be made mandatory in each state’s building code. The resultant lower roof cavity temperatures would cut air conditioner use AND save on energy bills.

PLASTIC TANKS ARE LIGHT

And water is heavy! If the tank is exposed to wind gusts, try not to drain the tank. Many tanks have lugs on their upper surface. These are tie down points and are often not explained to purchasers.

SLUDGE

Sludge removal is difficult, time consuming and unpleasant. SUPADIVERTA'S second stage continuous sediment extraction removes much of the finer heavier sediment that passes through its internal 750 micron (0.75mm) filter, leaving minimal lighter material passing to the tank. AQUATREK has found that lowering a submersible pump set to recirculate into a tank will quickly stir up these `floaties’. If done with the tank at a low level and at the start of heavy rainfall, the stirred up water can then be drained elsewhere. Submersible pumps are an inexpensive yet valuable accessory.
NOTE: Ensure the submersible pump does not run dry while operating.

CLEANER WATER

If diverting to more than one tank, divert priority should be to the tank located away from the house. This is opposite to what is normally done!
If the water in that tank is then allowed to settle over the next few days and later decanted to replenish the tank next to the house, the house tank should remain virtually sludge free!

COVER UP

For longevity, try not to expose plastic tanks to strong sunlight. To restrict algal growth, choose dark colours and place weighted shade cloth over the inlet mesh. An accessory waiting to happen is an inexpensive cover made from shadecloth or similar UV stabilised material.

PUMPS

Many have a pressurised air bladder within a pressure vessel, the bladder purging water on demand and the pump then activating to replace that water once its volume falls below a designated level.
When using a small amount of water, the pump may not activate but refilling a cistern may cause pumps fitted with a normal pressure switch to cycle several times as the cistern fills. Aquatrek recommends using a pump fitted with a variable speed controller to prevent cycling and the pump running "flat out" whenever in use. Cycling and the start up high energy demand of some pumps is a large component of total energy consumption and the sound of a pump cycling can annoy neighbours. Aquatrek also believes that a mandatory energy rating including start up energy demand should apply to all water tank and pool pumps.
Home owners should know the correct bladder pressure and how to check it. Checking usually requires the power to be turned off, the water supply isolated and the vessel drained. The pressure can then be checked and adjusted if necessary, water supply turned back on and the power reconnected. Some pumps may require priming.
This is generalised information and professional advice should be sought prior to purchase.
Pumps should be periodically checked for signs of insect infestation and a cover is recommended. Beware of Redbacks!

LOW PRESSURE

A pump delivering low pressure to a hose is a common frustration. Standard 12mm garden hoses have high friction losses and the longer the hose; the greater the loss. To reduce pressure loss, connect an 18mm hose to the tap, then join/connect to a shorter length of 12mm garden hose.
By comparison with 18mm garden hose at a flow rate of 20 litres per minute, a 12mm garden hose's friction loss is about eight times greater!

LEAKING FITTINGS

Google the internet for the yearly water loss from a tap leaking at one drip per second and you will find answers ranging from 1,000 to over 30,000 litres per year with most sites quoting either 7,000 or 12,000 litres per year! AQUATREK has conducted its own experiments and arrived at a figure of 4,800 litres per year. We also found that drip sizes can be varied (ours were generous) but not by the margin required to explain the wild variation in yearly estimates.
The above is easily calculated, simply count 600 drips (equal to 10 minutes) falling into a container, measure or weigh the volume, then use simple arithmetic to arrive at an annual total (1 litre = 1 kg).
Any loss should be avoided and most 12mm and 18mm hose connectors leak when fitted to 13mm and 19mm polypipe!