Image shows Ri-Industries concrete rainwater tanks

Harnessing Rainwater – The Benefits of Concrete Rainwater Tanks in South Australia’s Dry Conditions

by Ri Industries

Image shows Ri-Industries concrete rainwater tanks

 

Harnessing rainwater by using concrete rainwater tanks is a wonderful solution for those living in dry conditions, especially when studies find that bushfires and dry conditions are expected to increase in South Australia. One option gaining traction is the utilisation of concrete rainwater tanks, offering a multitude of benefits that align perfectly with the needs of South Australia’s residents and environment.

Water Conservation and Security

Concrete rainwater tanks, such as the ones manufactured by Ri-Industries, serve as reservoirs for capturing and storing rainwater runoff from rooftops. This collected water can then be used for various purposes, such as watering gardens, flushing toilets, and even supplying potable water with proper filtration systems. During dry conditions, when traditional water sources dwindle, having a concrete rainwater tank provides a reliable and sustainable alternative, reducing dependency on mains water and safeguarding against shortages.

Durability and Longevity

Concrete is renowned for its durability and longevity, making it an ideal material for rainwater tanks, especially in regions prone to extreme weather conditions like South Australia. Unlike plastic or metal tanks, which may degrade over time due to UV exposure or corrosion, concrete tanks are robust and resistant to deterioration. They can withstand the harsh Australian climate, ensuring reliable water storage for decades with minimal maintenance.

Temperature Regulation

In regions characterised by hot summers, such as South Australia, concrete rainwater tanks offer an additional advantage – temperature regulation. The thermal mass of concrete helps moderate water temperature, keeping it cooler during hot weather and reducing the risk of bacterial growth. This feature not only preserves water quality but also enhances its usability for various domestic and agricultural purposes.

Environmental Sustainability

The adoption of concrete rainwater tanks aligns with broader environmental sustainability goals. By harvesting rainwater, home owners can reduce their reliance on mains water, which often involves energy-intensive treatment and distribution processes. Also, rainwater harvesting promotes groundwater recharge and reduces stormwater runoff, mitigating the risk of soil erosion and minimising pollution in waterways. These eco-friendly practices contribute to conserving natural resources and protecting South Australia’s delicate ecosystems.

Cost-Efficiency

While the initial investment in a concrete rainwater tank may seem significant, it offers substantial long-term savings. With rising water costs and potential water restrictions during dry periods, homeowners can offset expenses by using rainwater for non-potable purposes. Additionally, concrete tanks have low maintenance requirements and a lifespan measured in decades, offering excellent value for money compared to alternative storage solutions.

Enhanced Property Value

The presence of a concrete rainwater tank can enhance the appeal and value of residential properties in South Australia. With water conservation becoming an increasingly important consideration for homebuyers, a well-maintained rainwater harvesting system can be a compelling selling point. Properties equipped with concrete tanks demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and self-sufficiency, which resonates with environmentally conscious buyers.

Learn More

Concrete rainwater tanks offer a multitude of benefits, including water conservation, durability, temperature regulation, environmental sustainability, cost-efficiency, and enhanced property value. By harnessing rainwater, residents can mitigate the impact of dry conditions, reduce reliance on mains water, and contribute to a more water-secure future for the state. Are you ready to learn more? Call us on 08 8444 8100 and we’ll be happy to assist you.

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Rainwater Harvesting Will Help Conserve Water and Lower Costs

by Ri Industries

Rainwater harvesting is an excellent way to conserve water and lower expenses. The rainfall we’ve been seeing in South Australia makes this a great time to learn about rainwater harvesting and see if it’s something you’d like to do. 

First, let’s answer the question, ‘What is rainwater harvesting?’. Simply put, it’s collecting and storing rain for later use. So now, let’s take a look at how the water can be used and how it is collected. 

Harvested rainwater provides clean water where water is scarce or polluted. It can be used to flush toilets, do laundry, water the garden, wash cars, and more. However, if you want to be able to drink the water, the system must be designed, operated, and maintained to ensure the water quality is suitable. 

It’s often thought that rainwater harvesting is only done in rural areas. In fact, many urban households harvest rainwater to significantly lower mains water usage. According to www.sa.gov.au, “South Australian building rules require that new dwellings and some extensions or alterations, have an additional water supply to supplement mains water. The most common way to meet the additional water supply requirement is to install plumbed minimum-sized rainwater tanks.”

Is harvesting rainwater more costly than only using mains water? No! Once the tank is installed and your water use is supplemented by the harvested rainwater, your water bills should be lower. After all, rainwater is free!

Harvested rainwater is collected from various hard surfaces such as rooftops and/or other man made above ground hard surfaces. The water is stored in a tank. The below diagram (credit: treehugger.com) shows how rainwater harvesting works.

Ri-Industries manufactures underground concrete rainwater tanks. 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.

Our rainwater tanks are built to stand the test of time. They’re 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. We also have full engineering approval for below ground tanks. This means you can rest easy knowing that a Ri-Industries rainwater tank will serve you well, wherever it is installed. We can also custom make inlets and outlets to suit your specific requirements. 

Are you ready to conserve water and save money? Call us at 08 8444 8100 and let know how we can help you!

 

Introducing the EP10 Secondary Treatment System

Introducing the EP10 Secondary Treatment System

by Ri Industries

Ri-Industries is pleased to announce our new Ri-Treat product called the EP10 Secondary Treatment System which allows you to reclaim your waste water by recycling and reusing water around the home. This product has replaced our previous Ri-Treat units, including the 3250, 4250 and 4500.

Like all our products, the EP10 is guaranteed superior quality and engineer designed. In fact, our customers repeatedly tell us that “Ri-Industries products are the best in South Australia.” What’s particularly exciting is that the EP10 is the only SA-manufactured secondary treatment system that’s been tested, certified and approved to the Australian Standard (AS/NZS 1546.3:2017) for South Australian conditions. After rigorous testing over the last 18 months, it has been approved by SA Health and carries the SAI Global ‘5 ticks’ StandardsMark License.

Choosing the Ri-Treat EP10 gives you a number of advantages:

  • A mono cast 50 MPa reinforced concrete construction, with no fibreglass or plastic structural components, means that no untreated effluent will escape into the environment.
  • The high-quality biofilter medium, with the added bonus of bristle filters, enhances the purity of the recycled water.
  • All irrigation pumps are Lowara stainless steel and are submersible, quiet, reliable and inexpensive to operate.
  • The Japanese Mac100 air blower offers the most reliable and efficient aeration and has a 2-year warranty.
  • Child-proof and vandal-proof lids give you additional peace of mind.
  • A 15-year warranty on tank construction – longer than comparable products.
  • The operation of the unit has other unique features, such as automatic sludge and skimmer returns.

Please note, our approvals only cover the manufacture and sale of the unit. Therefore, installation and commissioning are the responsibility of the purchaser and all servicing must be carried out by an authorised service agent.

If you have any additional questions about the EP10, please do not hesitate to contact us at 08 8444 8100. Our expert staff will be happy to assist you. In the meantime please check out the new EP10 website page and EP10 brochure for more information.

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Why Rainwater Tanks are Popular and Important in South Australia

by Ri Industries

Rainwater tanks are popular and important in South Australia because they help us conserve water. Let’s look at how they are used and how much water they can save.

In South Australia, rainwater tanks are used in communities without access to reticulated water sources, in communities where good quality water supplies are limited, in areas where local regulations require rainwater storage be provided for bushfire prevention, and in urban areas, such as Adelaide and regional communities, which have access to mains water but owners want to conserve water. 

Some advantages of rainwater tanks include:

  • The use of rainwater costs less than mains water
  • Rainwater causes less erosion to household appliances due to their low salinity content
  • Protects water supplies by conserving mains use
  • Rainwater is softer than mains water which may mean you use less soap, detergent, and shampoo

To read more about the benefits of rainwater tanks, please see our blog, What are the Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting.

One of the main benefits of rainwater harvesting is the ability to conserve to water. So, how much can you save? Put into everyday terms, a family of four in Adelaide, with a 100m² roof catchment area and a 1000L tank can capture enough rainwater in one year to:

  • Flush a toilet twice per day per person

OR

  • Provide one bath per person per week (150L tub)

OR

  • Run a sprinkler system for one hour five days a week (1.5 L/min)

OR

  • Wash dishes in the dishwasher every day

OR

  • Give each person a 5 minute shower twice a week (standard flow shower)

If we’ve piqued your interest in rainwater harvesting and you would like to learn about our rainwater tanks, please see information on our website or call us at 8444 8100.

 

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Rainwater Harvesting Benefits Farming and Agriculture

by Ri Industries

Farming and agriculture play an important role in Australia. Rainwater tanks contribute to their success by reducing their reliance on mother nature.

Farms require an abundance of water to keep their crops and livestock healthy. In Australia, which is known for its dry climate, rainwater tanks Adelaide can help keep the water flowing despite a lack of rain. Another concern of farmers is the outbreak of disease or parasites. When this occurs, it’s in their best interest to have access to their own clean water supply.

Farmers use rainwater harvesting, which is the primary and most efficient component of water supply management for rural and regional Australia, to fill the rainwater tanks. Rainwater that falls on the roofs of houses, sheds, and other farm buildings is collected and stored in tanks. This is an easy way to locally collect water and use it where and when it’s needed.

The collected water can be used in various applications such as feeding stock, spraying crops, and storing water for firefighting. The quality of rainwater is typically superior to water from sources such as dams and local waterways which means it can also be used for domestic use.

Rainwater harvesting is expected to become more popular in the years to come. This is in part due to the cost-effectiveness of rainwater harvesting as compared to setting up main water and sewage services in semi-rural and rural areas. In fact, rainwater harvesting is so cost-efficient that arguments have been made that it should be used more widely in urban areas as well.

The bottom line is that safely storing water in tanks is a cost-effective way to see you through many types of water crises, including drought. If you’d like to learn more about rainwater harvesting and/or Ri-Industries rainwater tanks, we have a range of articles you can read available on our website. Of course, we’ll be happy to take your call to answer questions as well. You can reach us at 08 8444 8100.

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How to Water Your Garden With Water Collected in a Rainwater Tank

by Ri Industries

Before we discuss how to water your garden with water collected in a rainwater tank, let’s discuss why you might want to use rainwater.

First, rainwater harvesting reduces pollution. When rain falls, oil, pesticides, animal waste and fertilisers from lawns, footpaths, driveways, and streets get washed into our sewers which then overflow into rivers and estuaries. By harvesting rainwater, we eliminate those possible contaminants joining the water. Harvested rainwater is also free of salts, pollutants, and chlorine that are found in ground and surface water.

Second, harvested rainwater reduces demand on our water supplies. This is especially important during the summer months and times of drought.

Now that you have decided to harvest rainwater, how do you actually capture the water? We recommend installing a Ri-Industries Concrete Rainwater Tank. Our underground 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 than plastic, steel or fibre glass.
  • Once the rainwater tank has been installed, you will need to move water from the tank to your garden. The best way to do this is with a pump.
  • Pump systems can be submerged underground or they can be free standing. They can provide enough pressure that the water flows similarly to mains water. You can also install a mains switch-over device to switch from rainwater to mains use when the rainwater runs out.

Another option to consider is having a header tank. This is a great option to use with underground tanks. The header tank will be placed at a higher level than the storage tank. A low-powered pump will transfer the water from the rainwater tank to the header tank, then you can use a gravity fed method to release the water. You can fit a garden tap near to the bottom of the header tank and use a soaker hose to transfer the water out of the tank, using gravity.

Watering your garden with harvested water is a great way to help conserve water and eliminate pollutants. Ri-Industries is proud to provide quality concrete rainwater tanks in Adelaide and surrounding areas for your use. Please call us to speak with one of our experts to learn more.