Installing a watertank

Your BlueScope Water rainwater tank provides a great way to save water, helping the environment and saving you money.

Base Preparation

The Base for your tank is absolutely critical to it's performance and long life. All water tanks should be installed on a suitably prepared base that will not erode or sag and will fully support the weight and the diameter of the tank for the duration of its life. One litre of water weighs one kilogram so a 3000 litre tank will weigh 3000 kilograms or 3 tonnes when full.

Concrete
Suitable for all tanks.
Key Requirements of slab base:

• All tanks can be placed on a level concrete slab 100mm wider than the diameter of the tank. It should also be 100mm longer than the length of the tank.
• The slab needs to be a minimum of 100mm thick and must be steel reinforced.
• No part of the tank can overhang the base unsupported. Overhanging tanks will distort when filled, leading to leaks and eventually total tank failure.
• An extra membrane is not needed between the tank and base material, as the steel tank base has a double sided AQUAPLATE® steel PVC coating that prevents corrosion.

Stands
It is not necessary to install a WATERPOINT® tank on a stand under normal circumstances. However if you choose to place your tank on a stand then the key requirements are:

• Stand legs must all be on a reinforced concrete base. Ideally this should be a slab as per above. Stands cannot be placed on earth or paver bases.
• Bearers can be no more than 60mm (6cm) apart.
• In the case of a WATERPOINT SLIMLINE® tank, the bearers must run along the length of the tank - not across it.
• No part of the tank can overhang the base unsupported. Overhanging tanks will distort when filled, leading to leaks and eventually total tank failure.

ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY NOT COMPLYING WITH MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS WILL VOID ANY WARRANTIES AND THE PURCHASER WILL BE LIABLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS.

Pump Pressure

If you have purchased a pump system with your tank, you will probably want to maximise the flow and pressure from your pump.
Connecting 2 garden hoses to your pump will reduce pressure at the hose end due to friction losses through the narrow diameter hose. If you need to carry the water a long distance, consider installing 1" pipe from the pump to where you need it, install a tap and connect your hose from there.

First fill of your new tank

Your tank is constructed of high quality AQUAPLATE® steel which is specifically designed for the manufacture of water tanks. The tank is manufactured using a self piercing rivetting system and is sealed using silicon designed for potable water use. The first fill acts to settle all the rivets and sealant in the tank. For this reason, in some instances you may notice some very minor weeping from some of the rivets after the tank is filled the first time. This is quite normal and will cease after the tank has emptied and filled for the 2nd time. If you notice this and it persists beyond the 2nd fill, please contact BlueScope Water for an inspection on 1800 383 944.

Maintenance

Rainwater tanks are low maintenance, not no maintenance systems. The water you collect in your tank will only be as clean as your rainwater catchment area. This includes your roof, guttering, downpipes and inlet strainer. To ensure you are collecting high quality water in your tank, it makes sense that you have a simple tank maintenance program.

• Regular cleaning of inlet strainers and roof guttering systems (every 3-6 months) to remove leaves or debris.
• Clean out First Flush Water Diverters every 3-6 months as required.
• Regularly prune overhanging trees and vegetation to reduce amount of debris captured in roof catchment area.
• Tanks need to be examined for accumulated sludge every 2-3 years. Note that studies have shown that a layer of sludge in the bottom of the tank is actually beneficial to water quality. However, it is best to keep it at manageable levels. If sludge levels are too high the tank will need to be flushed when it is next empty.
• Pumping systems need to be maintained according to the manufacturer's specifications.
• Any chemical or salt-water contamination of the exterior of the tank should be washed off immediately.

For any enquiries relating to how to correctly install and maintain your BlueScope Water rainwater tank, contact us for advice

Free call 1800 654 774.