Rainwater tanks
If you want to use the water from your rainwater tank in your toilets or washing machine, you need to:
- ensure a licensed plumber does the work
- meet our backflow requirements.
What you need to do
Rainwater tanks are large, very heavy when full and can cause harm if they aren’t installed or maintained correctly.
A number of regulations are in place to help ensure your tank is safe and suitable.
Find out more
- Contact your local council to see if they have any local requirements you must comply with.
- Tanks that can store a maximum of 10,000 litres of water don't normally need council approval. However, you must comply with a number of conditions. For the latest information about exempt and complying development, visit NSW Planning & Infrastructure to see the latest copy of the NSW Housing Code.
Check the Department of Planning and Infrastructure's guidelines to see where you can install the tank.
You can't install a tank over our pipes or structures without our approval. Apply for approval at Sydney Water Tap in™.
If you want to use the water from your rainwater tank in your toilet or washing machine, you must:
- assess the site
- check your backflow requirements. You may need to install a property specific backflow device
- apply to connect at Sydney Water Tap in™.
Rainwater tanks save drinking water, but they must be installed by a licensed plumber.