What Size Residential Rainwater Tank Do I Need

Are you tired of watching litres of precious rainwater go to waste during every downpour knowing that you could be harnessing this precious resource to save money and embrace sustainability? With a rainwater tank, you can capture and store rainfall for later use in your home or garden, reducing your reliance on mains water and transforming this natural resource into a valuable asset, saving money on your water bill.

But before rushing out to make a purchase, it’s important to think about what size tank would best suit your needs. This is particularly true in urban areas where space is limited and therefore selecting the right residential water tank size needs careful consideration and some informed calculations.

Let’s explore some factors to keep in mind when calculating water storage needs and choosing the best water tank capacity:

Rainfall Patterns and Climate

The frequency and volume of rainfall your area gets will greatly impact how much water can be collected and stored in your rainwater tank. If you live in an area with high, frequent rainfall, you’ll most likely need a smaller tank compared to someone living in an area with lower annual rainfall.

It’s also important to consider the frequency of heavy downpours, as this will determine how quickly your tank can fill and potentially overflow. In regions with more unpredictable weather patterns, a larger tank may be necessary to ensure you have enough stored water during extended dry periods.

In short, your region’s climate affects rainwater collection.

Annual Rainfall:

Higher rainfall increases potential collection.

Rainfall Distribution:

Seasonal rainfall might require larger storage for dry periods.

Use our Rainwater Catchment Calculator to estimate potential rainwater harvest based on your location.

Your Household's Water Usage Needs

How much water does your household use on a daily basis? And yes, this includes both indoor and outdoor usage such as showering, flushing toilets, watering plants and washing clothes or dishes.

If you’ve never stopped to consider it before, here are some generalised figures:

This is what the daily water use calculations could look like for an average household of four:

While the above figures are intended as an example, when calculating your household’s water consumption you’ll need to account for:

Number of Occupants:

More people typically mean higher water usage.

Water Usage Patterns:

Determine if rainwater will be used for indoor purposes (toilet flushing, laundry) or outdoor activities (gardening, car washing).

Appliances:

Water-efficient appliances and fixtures can reduce overall consumption.

Outdoor Use Only:

Smaller tanks generally collect enough for gardening and cleaning.

Indoor Use:

Using rainwater for toilets, laundry, or even potable water requires a larger tank and appropriate filtration systems.

Having this information on hand is essential when choosing the best water tank capacity to suit your requirements.

The Available Space

As mentioned earlier, space availability is often a limiting factor when it comes to selecting a residential water tank size. While the largest tank that could possibly fit might seem like the most logical choice, it may not be allowed in your area due to zoning regulations.

Aside from your available yard space, local regulations must be abided by so familiarise yourself with any specific council requirements before making a decision. It’s also important to consider accessibility for installation and ongoing maintenance purposes.

The physical space on your property can limit your tank options, so do take into account:

Tank Dimensions

Tank Shape

Underground Tanks

Your Future Needs

When investing in a rainwater tank, it’s important to think about potential future needs as well. Are you planning on expanding your household? Can you envisage increased water usage in the near future? Are you thinking of using the collected rainwater for irrigation or other outdoor purposes? If answering yes to any of these, it may be wise to choose a larger tank now rather than upgrading later on.

Making Use of a Tank Size Calculator

For a more accurate assessment, you can use a tank size calculator that will consider all variables, and provide you with a customised recommendation. We’ve got an easy-to-use Rainwater Catchment Calculator to get you started.

Based on your calculations, you can then narrow down the best tank size likely to suit your needs.

Small Tanks (1,000 – 5,000 litres)

Medium Tanks (5,000 – 10,000 litres)

Large Tanks (10,000 – 30,000 litres and above)

Of course, when it comes to making a final decision, we recommend seeking personalised advice based on your specific situation.

Why Choose Puraflo for Your Rainwater Tank?

At Puraflo, aside from offering a wide range of high-quality residential rainwater tanks to suit every need, we also offer:

Expert Advice:

Our professionals guide you every step of the way.

Custom Solutions:

We provide tanks in various sizes, shapes, and materials, tailored to your specific needs.

Quality Assurance:

Durable tanks built to withstand Australian conditions.

Customer Satisfaction:

Trusted by thousands across NSW and SE QLD.

Explore our selection of rainwater tanks to find the perfect fit for your home.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’ve decided now’s the time to gain more control over your water supply and reduce reliance on mains water, then call out for our help utilising free rainwater for your home and garden use. We’ll work with you to clarify your water usage, local rainfall, roof catchment potential, and space availability. Once these factors have been assessed we can guide you towards selecting a tank that meets your needs.

1300 650 672