Come Rain... Or Shine

Water has become our most precious resource. Install a tank in your garden to store rainwater for use during the drier months.

- Maryke Roberts

South Africa has experienced drought in many parts of the country over the past two years and, as a result, a rainwater tank is no longer considered an unnecessary expense on a property. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering installing your own.

Size counts

There are several factors that will influence the size of the tank you choose. Firstly, you must decide how much space you can set aside. In a townhouse with a compact back garden you may be hesitant to fill the available space with a tank.

“Start by getting the correct measurements from the stockist,” says Hendrik Helberg, manager of RotoTank in Moorreesburg. Calculate what your roof’s yield will be, should it rain. Use the surface area of your home as a guide. For example, if your roof is 200m 2 and 10mm of rain falls, you can collect up to 2 000L of rainwater – assuming you harvest every single drop of rainwater run-off from your roof.