Are water tank overflow pipes always needed ?
A rainwater harvesting system that diverts additional downpipes can cause the inflow capacity to exceed the water tank’s overflow capacity during heavy rain.
- Water tank overflow outlets or pipes are required to be fitted with either mosquito proof mesh or a flap valve. The mesh typically has an open area of about 55% which presents an obstruction within the overflow pipe.
- An organic film floats on the tank’s water surface during and after rain. This often gels to the overflow mesh when overflowing, causing an increased flow restriction.
- Water tank manufacturers rarely if ever provide information about their tank’s overflow capacities.
- Many water tanks are now designed to be fitted with very high overflow pipes which severely reduce the water tank’s mitigation capacity.
- Overflow pipes can be costly to install.
- Downpipes diverted along walls can be ugly.
BUT height adjusting SUPADIVERTAs to downpipes can eliminate the need for a water tank overflow pipe!
- When a SUPADIVERTA is height adjusted on a downpipe with the top of the reservoir wall 2 cm below the bottom of the tank’s overflow outlet, the SUPADIVERTA overflows back to the stormwater system when the tank fills.
- If no other downpipes drain to the water tank’s top meshed inlet, there is no need for a water tank overflow pipe!
- The SUPADIVERTA rainwater harvesting system diverts water, not downpipes.
- Deleting or capping the water tank’s overflow outlet increases capacity.
- Ceasing rainwater diversion when the tank is full reduces sediment build up.
- Use house brick mortar lines or weatherboards to determine the ‘line of sight’.
- Subject to slope, locating a tank away from the house is no longer difficult and expensive.
- Neater and cheaper rainwater harvesting.
Any number of downpipes can be harvested by this method