Installing a rainwater tank is a great way to reduce household water consumption in the home. If you have limited space for a tank, however, here’s a guide on how to install a water catchment device without difficulty.

If there’s hardly any room to move on your block, a slimline rainwater tank that can fit against a wall or fence might be the best option. These tanks can be lined up in a row, with the water flowing from one tank into the next.

If you’re worried about the tank being visbile, you can always go for an under-house rainwater tank (providing your house is on stumps or piers). Under-house tanks come in hard plastic or ‘bladder’ varieties. The hard plastic tanks can be linked in a series and hold about 2000 litres of water each. Bladder tanks work by cutting into the stormwater and come in capacities of 2000 to 7000 litres.

It’s important to think about what the water you collect will be used for in order to decide what size rainwater tank you’ll need and which extras it should have. For example, if the water is for home use, such as for a washing machine or toilet, you’ll need filters and probably a pump as well.

It’s pretty straightforward to install a rainwater tank yourself – as long as the water isn’t going back into the house. If the water is going to be used in the home, you’ll need a qualified plumber to install the tank.

The number of downpipes that you can get to the rainwater tank may determine the size and type of tank you’ll be able to install. The location of your stormwater overflow may determine whether or not you’re going to need extra lengths of stormwater pipe.