To discover it's purpose I surveyed members of the community using this:
Survey Monkey Questionnaire. These are the results.
FINDINGS
The survey found the primary use of a rainwater collection system would be to collect and store rainwater from a double carport sized shed for use in the garden.
FUTHER RESEARCH
According to Mackay Regional Council the average home uses 30% to 50% of it's water on outdoor usage. Using average regional statistics, survey questions and the "Tankulator" (2010) a 5,000L holding tank would mean water was available 98% of the year, with it only likely to overflow 2 days a year. This size tank maximises the capture of rainwater and keeps the cost down as the tank is not overly large.
TYPE OF MATERIAL
Traditionally water tanks can be made of metal, concrete, fibreglass or a plastic called polyethylene. My research found that while metal tanks are good for storing large amounts of water and is a cheap material, it corrodes easily so is often lined with a material that can be expensive.
Concrete is durable and strong, but the metal within corrodes creating problems later on and the lime can leach into the water contaminating it. Also, making a concrete model would be difficult and potentially carry higher risk than other materials.
Fibreglass is thin and light, but this causes it to be brittle and easily broken. It also needs a food grade coating to meet Australian standards for storing water.
Subsequently I found that the most cost effective and durable material to use would be a type of polyethylene because it is;
ELEMENTS OF RAINWATER HARVESTING
My research found that current systems ranged from very complex to essentially simple.
Survey Monkey Questionnaire. These are the results.
FINDINGS
The survey found the primary use of a rainwater collection system would be to collect and store rainwater from a double carport sized shed for use in the garden.
FUTHER RESEARCH
According to Mackay Regional Council the average home uses 30% to 50% of it's water on outdoor usage. Using average regional statistics, survey questions and the "Tankulator" (2010) a 5,000L holding tank would mean water was available 98% of the year, with it only likely to overflow 2 days a year. This size tank maximises the capture of rainwater and keeps the cost down as the tank is not overly large.
TYPE OF MATERIAL
Traditionally water tanks can be made of metal, concrete, fibreglass or a plastic called polyethylene. My research found that while metal tanks are good for storing large amounts of water and is a cheap material, it corrodes easily so is often lined with a material that can be expensive.
Concrete is durable and strong, but the metal within corrodes creating problems later on and the lime can leach into the water contaminating it. Also, making a concrete model would be difficult and potentially carry higher risk than other materials.
Fibreglass is thin and light, but this causes it to be brittle and easily broken. It also needs a food grade coating to meet Australian standards for storing water.
Subsequently I found that the most cost effective and durable material to use would be a type of polyethylene because it is;
- Strong
- Light weight
- Cheaply produced
ELEMENTS OF RAINWATER HARVESTING
My research found that current systems ranged from very complex to essentially simple.