Rainwater tanks

Rainwater tanks help save our drinking water and also help manage stormwater run-off.

Rainwater tanks store rainwater run-off from catchment areas like your roof. The water from your roof is funnelled along your gutters and into downpipes connected to your tank.

By connecting the rainwater tank to the toilet and washing machine you can maximise the amount of money and water saved. In urban areas NSW Health supports the use of rainwater tanks for non-drinking uses, such as flushing toilets, washing cars and clothes, watering gardens, filling swimming pools, spas and ornamental ponds, and fire fighting. Rainwater can also be used in hot water systems.

NSW Health recommends that people use the public water supply for drinking and cooking because it is filtered, disinfected and generally fluoridated. For more information, please refer to the NSW Health website.

Learn how much of your household water usage can be replaced by rainwater with the rainwater tank calculator.