Rainwater tanks

Rainwater tanks help you save water and money

Installing a rainwater tank to use for garden irrigation or topping-up pools can help you save water and reduce the cost of your bill.

Rainwater tanks are regulated through the Moreton Bay Regional, Sunshine Coast and Noosa councils' building/plumbing approval processes. Please contact your local council for advice on rainwater tanks.

Helpful tips:

Check if there are any council regulations about where you can put your tank. For example, in some areas there is a minimum distance from the side property boundary.
There may be other mandatory installation requirements such as mosquito-proof screens, stormwater connections and the fitting of a first-flush diverter.
Decide whether you need a pump and if so, how you will connect it to your electricity supply.

Off-grid communities

Dayboro and Kenilworth are not connected to the SEQ Water Grid, as they rely on their own local water sources.

For updates on water restrictions, dam levels, and water-wise tips, see Off-grid communities.

FAQs

Managing your water tank supply

Many residents and businesses outside of Unitywater’s networks manage their own private drinking water supplies, typically collecting rainwater in tanks.

If you manage your own private water supply, you need to be conscious of both the availability and safety of your tank water.

Maintaining the safety of your water tank supply

Dirt and microorganisms can potentially enter and contaminate your private water tank. For information on how to maintain the safety of your private water tank supply, visit the Queensland Health website or view the Commonwealth Government’s Guidance on the use of rainwater tanks.

Unitywater’s laboratories provide testing services to confirm the quality or safety of private rain water tank supplies. More information on testing packages and pricing is available here.

Maintaining the availability of your water tank supply

In dry times, you may need to keep your private water tanks full by purchasing water from a commercial water carrier.

Water carriers must be licensed to operate in the City of Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast Council and Noosa Shire Council areas and obtain the licence from the relevant Council.

Across Unitywater’s service region, licensed water carriers can access 21 drinking water fill stations, and during dry times access points are increased through the use of metered standpipes.

If you manage your own private water tank supply, please be proactive in monitoring your tank levels and ordering deliveries from commercial water carters well in advance of your tanks running dry. In dry times, water carriers tend to be busier and have longer wait times for deliveries.

Visit a community fill station for small volumes of water

If you need a smaller volume of drinking water to see you through a small interruption in your private water tank supply, Unitywater maintains four 24/7 community drinking water fill stations that accept debit and credit card payment. See here for location and operating details.