A Review of Roof Harvested Rainwater in Australia

Table 1

Regulations and specifications for rainwater tank installation.

States	Regulation	Specification	Water use	Reference
South Australia; (SA)	Development Act 1993 and Development Regulations 2008 which complete the Waterworks Act 1932 and the Environment Protection Act 1993 completed by the Waterworks Regulations 1996, the Public and Environmental Health Act 1987, and the Natural Resources Management Act 2004.	Houses in new developments and house extensions greater than 50 m^2 must have an additional water supply to supplement municipal water. SA Water regulates the tank plumbing policy in fulfilment of the Waterworks Act 1932 and Waterworks Regulations 1996.	In new Class 1 buildings, all tanks must be plumbed into the house and water used for toilets flushing, hot water systems, or cold water outlets in the laundry.	[43]
Victoria; (VIC)	The 5-star standard for all new houses in Victoria (Victoria Building Code 2005) of 1st of July 2005 requires that new houses have a rainwater tank plumbed to the house. Regulations 2008, Version 013, SR number 136/2008, in fulfilment of Part 12A of the Building Act 1993.	New Class 1 buildings are required to have rainwater tank of not less than 2,000 L plumbed for toilet flushing. The roof area shall be greater than 50 m^2 to meet the tank plumbing requirements and maximize the harvest.	All tanks must be plumbed for toilets flushing. Rainwater must be separated from municipal water supply and the overflow directed into storm water drainage system.	[44]
New South Wales; (NSW)	The New South Wales Health Guidelines of 2005 (GL2005_033 of January 2005) which complete the Building Sustainability Index (BSI) require that new residential houses in NSW use less municipal water.	The installation of tanks of capacity greater than 10,000 L requires Sydney Water approval to avoid infringing on Sydney Water structure or easement.		[45, 46]
Queensland; (QLD)	The Queensland Building Regulation 2006 (QBR 2006), Subordinate Legislation 2006 number 227 under Division 2. The QDC-MP 4-2 of 2007 regulates rainwater tank installation.	The QDC-MP 4-2 in place from 2007 recommends that new houses from 100 m^2 roof area to have rainwater tank of 5 kL installed by builders at a cost of $4,000 paid by home owners.	Tank plumbed in for toilet flushing, clothes washing, and an external tap to save municipal water use up to 70 kL annually and 42 kL for detached houses.	[31, 47]
Western Australia; (WA)	No governing policy in place.	The health department advises the public to limit rainwater for nondrinking purposes.	Gardening, toilet flushing, clothes washing, and hot water systems.	[32]
Tasmania; (TAS)	No governing policy in place.	A local council plumbing permit approval is required for tank installation. Works must be carried out by an accredited plumber.	Essentially outdoor use.	[10]
Northern Territory; (NT)	The Building Code of Australia, National Plumbing Code (AS/NZS 2003b; DCC 2007). The plumbing guideline is governed by the Northern Territory Land Group (NTLG).	No mandatory requirement.	Toilet flushing, laundry use, gardening for outdoor use, firefighting, cooling tower, and cold water use.	[10]
Australia Capital Territory; (ACT)	The AS/NZS 3500 Section 4 regulates the installation of rainwater tank on a residential property.; Tanks must be installed at least 3 m from the rear boundary and 1.5 m from the side building boundary.	Tanks of less than 17 kL installed at 2.4 m above ground level do not need council approval. Larger tanks require approval from the ACT Planning and Land Authority (ACT-PLA) or building approval from a private certifier or both.	Toilet flushing, laundry use for indoor use and gardening, firefighting, and cooling tower for outdoor use.	[10]