Australia has been facing droughts year after year for decades, and with climate change and our growing population, it’s only expected to get worse. Water tanks are an increasingly common sight in the backyards of Aussie homes, and outside of commercial and industrial buildings as well. This makes a lot of sense, both from an environmental perspective and a pocket-friendly perspective: a well-made stainless steel water tank can be expected to last for 30 or more years, delivering your family up to 20% water conservation. To give you an idea of what the world freshwater crisis will look like three decades from now, it’s worth noting that the world population is predicted to grow to 10 billion by then, without any increase in the world’s available fresh water; at the same time, our climate will be hotter, and water restrictions will be more of a part of daily life.
So, what do you need to know about choosing a water tanks? The construction materials are very important, particularly in terms of durability. Plastic tanks (also known as poly tanks) will generally degrade over the years because of sun exposure, and if they’ve degraded to the point that they can no longer contain water, they’re no longer very recyclable either. They’ll usually last about 15 years. Concrete water tanks can last several decades, but are significantly more expensive. Fibreglass water tanks are a relatively rare sight, but their size isn’t very customisable. Unfortunately, they’re generally not recyclable, and tend to end up as landfill.
At Select Water Tanks, we offer great-looking stainless steel & colorbond steel round, under-deck and slimline water tanks that look great, last longer, and are bushfire resistant and recyclable. They come with a 30-year non-corrosion warrranty. We also offer colorbond water tanks, which are great value for money, and come with a 20-year non corrosion warranty and a 10-year manufacturer warranty. When you think about how much water you’ll save over 10 to 30 years, it’s exciting to think that this initial investment can make such a difference to Australia’s water future; and decades from now when they’ve reach their end-of-life, they can be finally be recycled.
If you’re thinking of using the water that’s stored in your tank as drinking water, then whether the construction materials are food-grade matters too; rainwater is safe to drink if it’s not contaminated, but it’s critical both to have food-grade construction materials and to install a filtration pump to get rid of any nasties.
Want to know more about water tanks, how much rainwater you can save and more? Head to the Select Water Tanks website for expert advice.
