When the heavens open on the Coffs Coast, a rainwater tank turns all that free water into something useful, whether that is a greener garden, full stock troughs or a backup for the house. Here is how to pick the right rainwater tank for your place without overthinking it.
We are lucky up here. The Coffs Coast cops a generous soak most years, often more than 1,500 millimetres of rain, and a big chunk of that lands on your roof and runs straight down the drain. A rainwater tank catches it instead. The trick is matching the tank to your roof, your block and how you plan to use the water, so you are not left with one that never fills or one that runs dry every February. This guide walks you through it.
Quick summary
- A rainwater tank turns Coffs Coast downpours into free water for the garden, stock and house.
- Work out your roof catchment first: 1 millimetre of rain on 1 square metre of roof gives about 1 litre of water.
- Poly tanks are light, affordable and rust-free; concrete tanks are heavy-duty and keep water cooler. We stock both.
- In NSW, an above-ground tank up to 10,000 litres is usually exempt development if it meets the siting rules, but always check with your local council.
- Fit mosquito-proof screens, keep gutters clean, and use a licensed plumber for any connection to the house.
Why Put a Rainwater Tank on a Coffs Coast Property?
A tank pays you back in a few ways: free water for the garden and stock, smaller water bills, and a handy backup when the mains is off or restrictions kick in. On a rural block, it can be the difference between full troughs and carting water in.
Making the Most of Our Coastal Rainfall
The Coffs Coast is one of the wetter parts of New South Wales, so tanks here fill up fast and often. Every storm that rolls in off the ocean is free water, and a tank lets you save it for the dry stretches that always seem to follow.
Lower Bills and a Backup for Dry Spells
Using tank water on the garden, in the laundry or to flush the loo takes a decent bite out of your water bill. It also gives you a buffer during a dry spell or water restrictions, and on a farm it keeps stock water up when the dam gets low.
What Can You Use Rainwater For?
Plenty. Rainwater is great for the garden, washing the car, topping up stock troughs, doing the laundry and flushing toilets. With a well-maintained tank it can also be safe to drink, though there is a bit more to that one.
Garden, Stock and Outdoor Use
For gardens, lawns, washing down and filling stock troughs, rainwater is perfect and needs no treatment. Pair a tank with a good layer of mulch and your garden will sail through summer on far less water.
Household Use and Drinking Water
Rainwater is well suited to the laundry and toilet, which is where a lot of household water goes. A properly maintained tank can supply good drinking water too, but NSW Health recommends using the town supply for drinking and cooking wherever it is available, since it is already filtered and disinfected (NSW Health). If you do plan to drink your tank water, keep the roof, gutters and tank clean and well maintained.
What Size Rainwater Tank Do You Need?
The right size comes down to two things: how much rain your roof can catch, and how much water you want to use. Get those two roughly matched and you have your answer.
How Much Can Your Roof Harvest?
Here is the simple sum: 1 millimetre of rain falling on 1 square metre of roof gives you about 1 litre of water. So multiply your roof area in square metres by your annual rainfall in millimetres to see what your roof could catch in a year. In the real world you will capture around 80 to 90 per cent of that, once you allow for overflow, splashing and the first flush.
Matching Size to How You Will Use It
A garden-only tank can be small, while a household backup or a stock supply needs a lot more. The table below is a rough starting point.
| Tank size | Good for |
|---|---|
| 2,000 to 3,000 litres (often slimline) | Garden watering and tight spots beside the house |
| 5,000 litres | Bigger gardens, topping up troughs and some household use |
| 10,000 litres | Household backup plus garden on a suburban block |
| 20,000 litres and up | Rural blocks, stock water and whole-house supply |
As a rule, it is better to go a size up if you have the room and the budget. A tank that overflows now and then is doing its job; one that runs dry in January is not.
Poly or Concrete: Which Tank Material Is Best?
For most homes and rural blocks, a poly tank is the easy pick. Concrete has its place for large or permanent setups. We stock both poly and concrete tanks, so it is worth knowing the difference.
| Feature | Poly tanks | Concrete tanks |
|---|---|---|
| Weight and install | Light, easy to position without machinery | Heavy, large sizes often built on site |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Durability | UV-stabilised, will not rust, long-lasting | Very tough and long-lasting |
| Water temperature | Warms up more in the sun | Keeps water cooler |
| Best for | Most homes and rural blocks | Large or permanent installations |
Poly Tanks
Poly tanks are made from UV-stabilised, food-grade plastic. They are light, so they are easy to position without heavy machinery, they will not rust or crack, and they cost less to buy. They come in a big range of colours and sizes, from compact slimlines up to large poly tanks around 27,000 litres.
Concrete Tanks
Concrete tanks are heavy-duty and long-lasting, and they keep the water a bit cooler, which some people prefer for drinking water. The trade-off is that they are heavy and the bigger ones are often built on site, so they cost more and take more to install.
Slimline, Round or Modular
Shape matters as much as size. A slimline tank tucks neatly down the side of a house where space is tight, while big round poly tanks suit rural blocks where there is room to spread out. Our team can help you work out what fits your spot.
Do You Need Council Approval for a Rainwater Tank in NSW?
In most cases, no. An above-ground rainwater tank is usually exempt development in NSW, which means no council approval is needed, as long as it meets the siting rules (NSW Planning Portal). There are a few things worth knowing before you dig in.
When a Tank Is Exempt Development
An above-ground tank up to 10,000 litres generally does not need approval, provided it is set back from boundaries and is not on a foreshore, an environmentally sensitive area or the front of a heritage property. The exact setbacks and rules can vary, so a quick call to your local council is the safest way to be sure for your block.
New Builds and BASIX
Building a new home or doing a major reno? You may need a rainwater tank to meet your BASIX water target, the NSW scheme that sets water and energy savings for new homes (NSW Planning Portal). Your certifier or builder can tell you the size you need.
Screens, Plumbing and Staying Safe
Fit a mosquito-proof screen or flap valve to every tank opening to stop mozzies breeding, which is expected on tanks in NSW. And if you are connecting the tank to your toilet, laundry or house, use a licensed plumber, since backflow prevention and correct connections are required by law.
Pumps, Fittings and Getting Water Where You Need It
A tank on its own is just storage. To get water to the garden, the troughs or the house, you will usually need a pump and a few fittings.
Choosing a Pump
The right pump depends on how far and how high you need to move the water, and how much flow you want at the other end. A garden setup needs far less grunt than running water up to a house or across a paddock. We stock water pumps, poly pipe and fittings and can help you match a pump to your job.
Fittings, Hoses and Sprinklers
Once the water is flowing, the right hoses and sprinklers make watering quick and even. Valves, tap fittings and a bit of poly pipe finish the job.
How Do You Keep Tank Water Clean?
A little upkeep keeps your water fresh and your tank healthy. It is not much work, and it makes a big difference.
- Keep gutters and the roof clear of leaves and debris.
- Fit a first-flush diverter so the dirty first run of rain skips the tank.
- Check mosquito screens a couple of times a year and replace any that are torn.
- Look for sludge in the bottom of the tank every so often, and clean it out if needed.
How Coffs Harbour Produce Can Help You Get Set Up
We have been sorting out water for Coffs Coast homes and farms since 1985, so we know our tanks. Pop into our Coffs Harbour store or our sister store Valley Rural Supplies in Nambucca Heads to see the range, and bring along your roof measurements and a rough idea of your budget. We will help you match a tank, pump and fittings to your place. Tanks are bulky, so make the most of our free next-day delivery across the greater Coffs Harbour region (order by 3pm, conditions apply), or use our drive-through for the smaller bits and pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size rainwater tank do I need?
It depends on your roof size and how you will use the water. As a rough guide, 2,000 to 5,000 litres suits garden use, around 10,000 litres works as a household backup, and rural blocks running stock water often want 20,000 litres or more. To see what your roof can catch, multiply its area in square metres by your annual rainfall in millimetres, then allow for capturing about 80 to 90 per cent of that.
Do I need council approval for a rainwater tank in NSW?
Usually not. An above-ground tank up to 10,000 litres is generally exempt development in NSW as long as it meets the siting rules, such as setbacks from boundaries and not being on a foreshore or sensitive area. Larger tanks or tricky sites may need approval, so check with your local council.
Is a poly or concrete tank better?
For most homes a poly tank is the easy choice: light, affordable and rust-free. Concrete tanks are tougher and keep water cooler, which suits large or permanent setups, but they are heavier and cost more.
Can I drink rainwater from a tank?
Generally yes, if the tank and roof are clean and well maintained. That said, NSW Health recommends using the town water supply for drinking and cooking wherever it is available, since it is already filtered and disinfected.
How do I stop mosquitoes breeding in my tank?
Fit a mosquito-proof screen or flap valve to every opening, including the inlet and overflow, and check them a couple of times a year for tears. Keeping gutters clear helps too.
Ready to Catch the Next Downpour?
The right tank turns a rainy Coffs Coast day into water you can use all year round. If you would like a hand working out the right size, material and pump for your place, the team at Coffs Harbour Produce is at 26 June Street, Coffs Harbour, on 02 6652 2599, or you can send an online enquiry. Call, email, or drop in and say g’day.
References
- NSW Planning Portal, Rainwater tanks (exempt development), https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/development-and-assessment/planning-approval-pathways/exempt-development/rainwater-tanks
- NSW Planning Portal, BASIX, https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/development-and-assessment/basix
- NSW Health, Rainwater tanks, https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/water/Pages/rainwater.aspx
