Rainwater tanks

Rainwater tank on the side of a house

Installing a rainwater tank can save you water and money. Capturing rainwater from your roof and storing it in a properly installed rainwater tank provides you with a source of water suitable for:

  • outdoor use on the garden, cleaning and car washing
  • indoor use for toilet flushing and in your washing machine.

This should reduce your water bill and save you money. Having a rainwater tank can also be useful to store excess water from storms and heavy rain events. This water may have caused localised stormwater issues on your property.

With more than 90,000 rainwater tanks installed between 2005 and 2009 and many more since, Brisbane is one of the most water efficient cities in the developed world.

Approvals and standards

Most residential rainwater tank installations do not require approval. However, some tanks require planning, building or plumbing approval. This depends on the intended size, location of the tank and whether internally plumbed for home use. 

Obtain further details about approvals and standards required for installation of a rainwater tank at your property.

Internal connections

Find out more about the requirements for internal connections to your toilet or washing machine from a rainwater tank at your property.

Choosing a rainwater tank

Read about choosing a rainwater tank to meet your needs including pre-purchase considerations, cost and location.

Using your rainwater tank

Read about how to maintain your rainwater tank including preventing mosquitoes and corrosion.

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