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Concrete Rainwater Tanks – What are the Benefits?

by Ri Industries

Get your rainwater tank in time for the ‘rainy season’ in South Australia. We get most of our
rainfall during the winter months of June, July and August, so now is a great time to get
prepared. Let’s look at some of the benefits of using a Ri-Industries concrete rainwater tank.
Rainwater harvesting is a technique used for collecting, storing and using rainwater for
landscape irrigation and other uses. It’s popular in South Australia due to its numerous benefits
such as:

● Reduces water bills
● Provides an alternative water supply during water restrictions
● Helps maintain a green and healthy garden
● Depending upon the tank size and climate, rainwater harvesting can reduce mains water
use by 100%
● Decreases storm water runoff, thereby helping to reduce local flooding.
● Rainwater causes less erosion to household appliances due to their low salinity content
● Rainwater is softer than mains water which may mean you use less soap, detergent, and
shampoo.

What are the benefits of our concrete rainwater tank? Concrete rainwater tanks offer a number
of advantages:

● The water stays cooler.
● No algae develops.
● The water has no after-taste.
● They are vandal-proof and fire-proof.
● Being underground means they are out of sight and don’t take up much of your valuable
real estate.
● Concrete is stronger and more durable.

How much water can be saved using our concrete rainwater tanks? A family of four with a
100m² roof catchment area and a 1000L tank can capture enough rainwater in one year to:

● Flush a toilet 2X/day per person
● Fill a 150L tub to provide a bath for one person per week

● Run a sprinkler system for one hour 5X/week
● Use dishwasher every day
● Give a 5 minute shower to each person 2X/week

Good for the environment + saves money = a great investment! Call us at 08 8444 8100 to
speak with one of our experts and learn about installing a concrete rainwater collection tank at your home.

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How to Prevent Mosquitoes From Breeding in Rain Water Tanks

by Ri Industries

You may think of mosquitoes simply as a nuisance that come with warmer weather, but they can actually be much more than a nuisance – they can be a health risk. Mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases such as malaria, Zika virus, dengue fever and more. They breed in standing water which means your gutters, pipes, and rainwater tanks Adelaide are ideal environments for them. But don’t worry, there are some simple solutions to help keep the mosquitoes at bay and reduce the health risk to you and your family. 

 

  • ‘Over the gutter mesh’ can be fitted to the gutters to keep leaves and debris from gathering and pooling water. The holes in the mesh should match the size of the leaves in the area. If gutter mesh is not an option, keep trees well trimmed and clean the gutters on a regular basis.
  • Place mosquito-proof screens where the pipe that carries water to the rainwater tank meets the gutter. This will help keep leaves and debris from piling up causing stagnant water.
  • Where the pipe meets the tank, install a mosquito-proof, self-closing flap valve.
  • Use mosquito-proof mesh on the inlets and overflow on the tank. Sealing the overflow can reduce the incidence of mosquitoes by two-thirds—even if the inlet is poorly sealed.
  • Check and clean the first flush device of your rainwater collection system every three months
  • Regularly inspect the mesh to ensure it is in good condition and if it’s not, replace it.
  • Divert overflow water to a covered drain. When the overflow drains to a grassy area, the water can pool and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. 

 

Taking the above precautions should help to reduce mosquitoes, but what happens if they do manage to get into your tank? 

 

You will know that mosquitoes have been breeding if you see larvae wriggling on the surface of the collected water. First, remove and discard the larvae. Then, find where the mosquitoes entered your system and fix the issue. Inspect the tank, mesh, pipe, and gutters. 

 

Ri-Industries concrete rainwater tanks are made from high frequency vibrated reinforced concrete using the highest quality of materials. Steel mesh is cast into the rainwater tanks and lids, and all fittings are made from brass – to give additional peace of mind. Please call our office, 8444 8100, to learn more about our rainwater tanks, delivery, and installation.

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Top 3 Ways To Conserve Water In Your Bathroom

by Ri Industries

Are you looking for easy ways to conserve water? Your bathroom is a good place to start. Between showers and flushing toilets, wasting water is a frequent occurrence in the bathroom.

Here are three top ways to conserve water in your bathroom:

Tip #1: Shorten your showers

The average person spends eight minutes in the shower, which uses approximately 62 litres of hot water. If you cut your shower down to five minutes, you can save about 22 litres of water with each shower. Need help shortening your shower? Select a five-minute song, and when the music stops, your shower is over.

For extra water conservation, consider changing out your showerhead to a high-efficiency rain showerhead. A high-efficiency rain showerhead helps save costs in two ways: less water and lower heating costs.

Tip #2: Turn off the bathroom tap when you’re not using it

This seems like such a simple tip, really, but it is surprising how many people keep their bathroom tap on while they are brushing their teeth, washing their face and hands, or cleaning the sink. When you turn the water off during these tasks, you are reducing water waste – by about 30 litres a day!

Tip #3: Use rainwater for flushing

Did you know you can install a rainwater tank and have it connected to your toilet plumbing? Have a concrete rainwater tank put in your backyard to collect rain from your roof and gutters.  Then, every time you flush, you are using rainwater, instead of water from the main. Recycled rainwater is an excellent way to conserve water, plus it will save on your monthly water bills.

When looking for a rainwater tank, look for one made of concrete. A concrete rainwater tank keeps the water cooler, prevents the development of algae and is more durable than other rainwater tanks. Also, make sure your rainwater tank has a secure lid to protect your water from insects and dirt.

While your bathroom may be one of the busiest rooms in your house, it doesn’t need to be the center of wasteful water usage. By implementing these three water conservation tips, you’ll appreciate lower water and heating bills, plus help in conserving water in your community. If you need help finding solutions for water conservation in your home, please contact us with any questions.