Water Tank

What caused the water shortage in Auckland in 2020? The year 2020 certainly taught us all that in the face of unexpected events, there are lessons to learn that we can apply to our daily lives even after the dire times have passed. Aside from the pandemic and lockdown, the Auckland drought of 2020 was another one of these times when we all learned how to adapt – and come away better off having learned how to improve a few of our habits. The Auckland water shortage started making news in 2019, but many of us didn’t really take notice until we experienced an especially dry start to the summer of 2019-20. By February 2020, we had reached a record spell of no rain for 40 consecutive days. From November 2019 to May 2020, Auckland received only 60% of its normal rainfall. We saw our total water storage (all our dams combined) drop below 50% for the first time in more than 25 years. Water storage levels were at the mid-40% mark. To put that into perspective, the dams that Aucklanders get our water from in the Hūnua and Waitākere ranges historically have sat around 89% full. So in May, mandatory bans on water use were introduced along with fines of up to $20,000 for using hoses and water outdoors. Is there still a water shortage in Auckland, and what do we need to know? Aucklanders have done their part to reduce water usage, and at the time of this blog, dam levels were up around 70%. But they’re still not as high as they need to be. In late November 2020, the mandatory water restrictions for residential water users introduced earlier in the year were adjusted. From mid-December, residents were allowed to use hand-held hoses and water blasting devices so long as they are fitted with trigger nozzles. If you have a rainwater or grey water tank you can use that water as you wish (you can connect a hose to those tanks and wash your car, boat etc). For more information on grey water tanks, have a read of our blog, Everything you need to know about grey water tanks. Watercare has set up a website called Water for Life to provide information about how to use water wisely. For all of us to do our part to conserve water (and help get those dam levels higher), Watercare provides the following tips:  Keep your showers short (four minutes or less) Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they’re full Don’t wash your car Don’t water blast your house Don’t hose your lawn For many of us, we’ve been hearing these reminders for months. As the dam levels show, this has all been making a positive difference. But there are other things you can do. What else can we do to reduce water usage? At Regency Plumbing we’d like to share a few other tips that we’ve gathered in our research into what we can do in Auckland to help ease the water shortage. We’ve come up with 25 ways to save water: Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth Turn off the tap when shaving (at the sink) Turn off the shower (or at least turn the flow down) when shaving in the shower Fill the sink to hand-wash dishes, rather than leaving the tap running Only do a load of laundry when you have a full load (and try a shorter load time) Don’t over-wash clothes – most of us are in the habit of washing an item of clothing after only one wear; some items can be worn again (provided they don’t smell) If you do any hand washing or soaking, use a bucket instead of doing it in the sink; use the soapy water where possible in the garden or to rinse dirty garden gloves, running shoes, beach toys, etc Only run the dishwasher when you have a full load Reduce the number of dishes you’re rinsing before putting them in the dishwasher (believe it or not, many people rinse mugs and glasses, which you don’t need to do); and test whether you really do need to rinse bowls and plates beforehand Try to reduce the amount of water you use while cooking – rinse vegetables in a bowl and then use the water in the garden; steam instead of boil vegetables; don’t boil more water than you need for pasta and potatoes Consider composting some of your kitchen waste instead of putting it down the waste disposal unit (which requires running water to do its job) Don’t empty drinking water bottles down the sink at the end of the day – pour any unwanted water onto plants Check to make sure your toilet cistern isn’t leaking (if it is, give Regency Plumbing a call) Check and make sure you don’t have any other leaks from your plumbing or appliances Fix any dripping taps or showerheads you have (again, feel free to give Regency Plumbing a call) Consider whether you really do need to flush the toilet after every use If you do flush after every use, use the half flush (if your toilet has a dual-flush option) If you need to run the shower for a minute while you wait for the hot water, collect this cold water in a bucket and use this water on your indoor plants, out in the garden or to rinse those soccer boots Take showers instead of baths (modern shower heads use approximately 12-15 litres per minute, so about 48-60 litres for a 4-minute shower; in a bath, people usually use between 100 and 150 litres to fill the tub, and then often run even more hot water as a top-up) Turn your shower flow down (or off) while you’re lathering up When emptying the fish tank or changing the water, consider whether you can use the old water in the garden or elsewhere rather than just pouring it down the drain (one of our […]

It’s a great time to get a water tank If you’ve been looking for ways to reduce your water bills and increase your household supply of water in light of current and/or future potential water use restrictions, a residential water tank is a great idea. In mid-2020, Auckland Council removed resource consent fees for the installation of rainwater tanks at residential properties, making it even more affordable and accessible to start using tank water. Have a read of our blog Is it worth getting a water tank? to learn more about the process of having a water tank installed. What size water tank do you need? Water tanks are becoming more and more popular – even on properties where there is a centralised water supply, with property owners looking for ways to top up their supply. There are several factors we consider in deciding with you what size water tank you need: Where is your home or bach located, and what are the rainfall averages? Most of our clients are in Auckland or the surrounding areas, where water restrictions came into effect in 2020. Many people are, therefore, looking at installing a water tank to collect rainwater or stormwater.  How many occupants are there in your household? We look at the number of people who use water in your house or bach, as this will affect water use. We also look at the age and stage of family members, as some water use habits change accordingly. What is the water usage like in your house or bach? When advising on what size of water tank will suit your household best, we ask some questions to get a good idea of your usage and how much water you may need from your tank. By usage, we mean: how many baths or showers you and your family members take, whether you have babies or small children who enjoy regular baths, if you have a lawn or garden that needs water, how often you wash your car(s)/boat/surfboards, etc. How much space do you have for a tank? We’ll look at the space you have on your land, beside or near your house or bach, and whether you have room under a deck that is appropriate for a water tank. We usually recommend the bigger the better. When a tank is used to top up centralised water supply, we usually find that once clients get accustomed to using tank water, they begin using it more and more, particularly for non-potable purposes. The size of your roof Usually, the larger your roof and the more extensive your system of downpipes are, the more rainwater you will collect. Therefore, you will need a larger tank. Regency Plumbing can discuss all of these factors with you, and advise you on the best size, shape, location and type of water tank to meet your needs and budget. Feel free to refer to the household water consumption guide from one of our trusted suppliers, Promax. But don’t worry … Regency Plumbing can help calculate all of this with you. What size and shape do water tanks come in? Regency Plumbing has put together some very special packages on water tanks. Our water tank special package includes: A Promax 1,000 litre water tank, 7 colours to choose from A plastic pump cover box, colour matched to water tank A domestic Wallace HJ60 water pump – a powerful little pump Pipe and fittings to set up water tank and pump (maximum of 5m pipe length) A copper pipe feed to a hose tap securely mounted – ready for use An electrician to install an outdoor power supply PLUS – fitting of one downpipe from spouting to tank, and overflow back to stormwater outlet (maximum of 6m pipe length) Additional downpipes can be added for a small additional cost, depending on length and distance, accessibility and proximity to the water tank. This is a great water tank solution at a very affordable price. NOW ONLY $3987 inc GST Installed. * For your own water tank and water supply, the small upfront investment is definitely worth it for the long-term benefit of saving money on water and the convenience of having your own supply to use on whatever you like. So, get in touch with Regency Plumbing and have your water tank installed in Auckland. Call… 0800 PLUMBER / 0800 758 623 *Terms and conditions apply on all packages. The price is based on a level site and access being possible by human effort and lifting (no mechanical assistance required). The price is based on a basic set of requirements for set out and installation. NOTE: Due to popular demand, stock is limited, so order times are extended more than what we would usually expect. In most cases, installation will be made within 15-20 working days, but is subject to availability of water tanks. We will do our best to get your new water tank fitted as soon as possible. At Regency Plumbing, we strongly recommend using a water tank even if you already have water supplied from a central water supplier. Have a read of our blog Is it worth getting a water tank? to learn more about the benefits of having a water tank.

Water, the new valuable commodity Auckland has been experiencing a water shortage since late 2019. When 40 days of no rain set a new record in January-February 2020, Aucklanders started taking notice. They managed for most of the year with water restrictions and conversations revolved around the current water levels at the dams in Auckland’s Hūnua and Waitākere ranges. Most of us started to really pay attention to how much water we were using (and potentially wasting). Many people in and around Auckland (who aren’t already on tank water) started wondering if it is worth getting a water tank to top up their supply from their centralised water network. When you start looking at all the ways you use water, you realise that in many instances you don’t necessarily need tap water (or potable water) – and tank water would be a great way to use rain that we do get. Some of the benefits of having a water tank A water tank provides you with an affordable way to reduce the amount of water you pay for from your water provider. Rainwater/stormwater that runs off the roof is collected through the downpipes from spouting to the tank. According to Auckland Council, collecting rainwater enables you to: make use of a readily available natural resource generate your own water supply should there be a water restriction or in times of an emergency save money on your water bill by using roof-collected rainwater to water the garden, wash the car or flush the toilet. Recognising the critical role that water tanks play in Auckland’s overall water conservation, and to incentivise residential rainwater collection, Auckland Council made two important changes in 2020: Auckland Council has removed resource consent fees for the installation of rainwater tanks at residential properties; Through a change to the Auckland Unitary Plan, water tanks are now a requirement for new residential property developments. Whether you’re building a new home or are thinking about adding a water tank to your existing property, we believe the benefits far outweigh the initial costs of installing a water tank – even if it is just for non-potable water to top up your central supply water. Can you get potable water from a water tank? Potable water is safe for consumption – it is safe to drink, cook with, brush your teeth with, wash and shower with, give to your pets, fill your pool or spa with. Any water that is going to be consumed or potentially swallowed – by you or your pets – should be potable to prevent illness or infection. Yes, you can get potable water from a water tank. You might need a different tank for potable water than you would use for non-potable water. Like houses and baches that rely on tank water for their main water supply, if you want potable water from your tank, the water needs to be collected, stored and filtered specifically so that it’s safe for consumption. You need to ensure the downpipes and tank are clean and free from debris, animals, birds, and other matter. A tank for potable water often also has a fine mesh debris screen, insect-proof screens and an inlet pipe with a ‘U’ bend in the pipe to control the disturbance of sediment as water flows in. If you are connecting your rainwater tank to your property’s plumbing, you may need a building consent (depending on the capacity of the water tank and its height above ground). You will need a qualified, registered plumber to install your plumbing joining the rainwater tank to the internal plumbing of your dwelling. This is to ensure the protection of the public water supply (through backflow prevention) as well as the quality of water supplied by the tank. Getting non-potable water from a water tank However, there are a lot of water uses that don’t require potable water. Non-potable water isn’t consumed and doesn’t come into contact with food, so it doesn’t need to be treated in the way drinking water is. Non-potable water can be collected in your water tank and used for: washing the car rinsing the boat watering the garden flushing the toilet washing sports equipment, bikes, surfboards, soccer boots, etc water blasting the deck hosing down the garden or roof on fireworks night When you think about it, we use water a lot at the home or bach – and often it doesn’t need to be treated. Rainwater or tank water would be fine – and it’s free!  The Regency Plumbing range of water tanks Residential water tanks can be made from plastic, concrete or metal. If you’re having a new one supplied and installed by Regency Plumbing, you’ll likely purchase a plastic one. Whatever the size or shape of your section, we can source a make and model that will suit. Slim-line tanks can fit along the side of your house, fence, or garage. Bladder tanks are designed to fit under floors and decks, making use of previously unused space. We have some great package deals on tanks, ranging in size from 1,000 to 25,000 litres – and all fitted with a pump. There is a small upfront investment, but the ongoing benefits of having your own water tank and water supply are worth it. You’ll save money on your water use, and you’ll enjoy the convenience of having your own supply for whatever you like. So, get in touch with Regency Plumbing and have your water tank installed. Call… 0800 PLUMBER / 0800 758 623

Adding a water tank to a new or existing property There’s no doubt that having a water tank for your home or bach is money well spent. Here in Auckland, we’ve learned in recent months that you never know when water supplies might be limited, and having your own tank supply of water is a sound investment. If you’re building a new home or bach, we suggest you look into installing a water tank, even if your property is supplied by a water company. As we’ve written about in other blogs, including this one called Is It Worth Getting A Water Tank, having a supplementary tank as a top-up is a great way to save money on water. Rainwater / stormwater tanks When you think about tank water, many people think about the underground water tanks that need to be filled by a water supply company. These are generally large polyethylene plastic tanks that are laid before or during the build phase. But recently, above-ground water tanks have become extremely popular for homes in and around Auckland. These are filled via rainwater collection (sometimes called stormwater tanks) and are a great way to collect free rainwater for potable or non-potable use. Above-ground stormwater tanks come in various shapes – round, oval, rectangle, slim-line – making it easy to find a good spot for them beside the house, connected to your downpipes. They range in size from very small (about 300 litres) to very large (about 30,000 litres). For many of our clients, we’re installing tanks in the medium range – our most popular installations are tanks of 3000 or 5000 litres. We know the Promax brand very well and trust their superb quality. Promax water tanks Promax plastic rainwater tanks are made from UV treated polyethylene plastic. This poly tank is made of non-biodegradable plastic, making it food safe and perfect for potable water, as it won’t break down for some time. Other key features of Promax water tanks include: Corrugated side walls for extra strength Maintenance-free one-piece moulded construction Clean, fresh, untainted storage for drinking water and household use Range of 7 colours to suit your surroundings Certification to AS/NZ 4766 – polyethylene storage tank standard Most Promax tanks are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years.  A few other factors affect how long your water tank will last. Location – if your tank is exposed to direct sunlight, the plastic will eventually be affected by the sun’s UV rays. Ground – if you have a rectangular tank on uneven ground, there may eventually be wear and tear on the side walls from the weight of the contents. Impact – if your water tank is in a section of your garden where it is likely to be struck by soccer/cricket/hockey balls, the impact over time may affect how long the tank lasts. To extend the life of your rainwater tank, then, wherever possible: position it out of direct sunlight install it on level ground keep it away from where any ball sports or other activities occur How long your poly tank lasts may also be affected by any treatment chemicals used in it. This is particularly relevant if you’re using your tank water as a potable water source. There are several factors, therefore, that can affect how long a water tank will last. A good rule of thumb is to consider 10 years the minimum lifespan. If it’s looked after and maintained well, you should get between 10 and 20 years out of it (yes, we know that is a large gap, but many things affect it). We have heard of some instances where a water tank has lasted 30 years in a suitable condition. We’d consider this an exception, and would expect a lifespan closer to 20 years. Call Regency Plumbing for your water tank supply and installation We can provide you with the most appropriate size or shape water tank for your house or bach. We have some great package deals on tanks, ranging in size from 1,000 to 25,000 litres – and all fitted with a pump. There is a small upfront investment, but the ongoing benefits of having your own water tank and water supply are worth it. You’ll save money on your water use, and you’ll enjoy the convenience of having your own supply for whatever you like. So, get in touch with Regency Plumbing and have your water tank installed. Call… 0800 PLUMBER / 0800 758 623

What exactly is grey water? Grey water is the “used” wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, washing machines, laundry tubs, dishwashers. Grey water is NOT the water from toilets. This is referred to as black water as it usually contains solids (excrement, toilet paper, sanitary products). The process for treating black water is different from the process used for making grey water useable – black water must go into the mains sewage system. Is grey water potable? You might hear people in the plumbing or water sectors talk about “potable” water. Potable water is water that is safe for consumption – water that is safe to drink, cook with, brush your teeth with, wash and shower with, give to your pets, fill your pool or spa with. Any water that is going to be consumed or potentially swallowed – by you or your pets – should be potable to prevent illness or infection. Grey water is NOT potable water. Even though you cannot safely consume grey water, there are still many uses for it. If you’re interested in reducing your water usage or would like to “recycle” some of the water your household uses, we suggest you look into how to make the most of your grey water. Re-using grey water without filtering it In light of the water shortages that Auckland is experiencing, re-using grey water is an excellent way to cut down on your water usage. Like many other areas of our daily living, more and more people are looking for ways to reduce their consumption, save money, and look after our natural resources. Reducing our water use is a great way to introduce “recycling” into another area of day-to-day living. There are ways to use grey water with and without council approval. * Using your grey water without approval or consent from Auckland council involves manually collecting some of your grey water in areas where there is no risk of contamination or risk to the health and safety of people on the property. This must be done reasonably quickly after grey water collection (within 24 hours). You can capture the grey water from your washing machine, shower, basin, etc in a bucket, pail, tub, etc and use it to: wash muddy gumboots, soccer/rugby boots, etc water plants or non-edible parts of your garden (not the vegetable or herb garden; and preferably if you use eco-friendly soaps or detergents) wash or rinse equipment (wheelbarrow, shovels, garden utensils) or vehicles (depending on how dirty the water is) wash down pavement Always minimise or eliminate direct human contact with the grey water, and always try to use it immediately after collection. An easier way to re-use your grey water is to install a grey water system. When you need Council approval to use grey water Grey water use can be extended through the use of a grey water tank or system. A grey water tank is different from a septic tank, as a septic tank receives and treats all water (including black water). You do need council consent for a grey water system as it must comply with Building Code requirements to ensure that it is installed, used and maintained correctly, safely, without risk of contamination. A grey water system diverts (either by gravity or with a pump) the used water from basins, showers, washing machines, etc to a surge tank. This is a tank that the water is initially held in as it is collected from the various sources. This is not where it is held long-term. The surge tank must be sealed (with no chance of rodents or bugs entering), vented, have an overflow mechanism, and must discharge into the sewer. The surge tank filter(s) must be changed, and the water in the tank emptied regularly, so that soap scrum doesn’t putrefy and bacteria or other microbial contaminants do not form. Water from the surge tank must be treated before use. Treatment might include removing solids, chemical disinfection, and other methods to make the water safe for re-use. It is strongly recommended that you do not allow water that potentially might contain human waste to enter the grey water system. This includes water from children’s baths or from the basin where you rinse/wash nappies or children’s soiled underpants. This should be treated as black water. Who can install a grey water tank? Regency Plumbing can evaluate whether your existing property layout is suitable for a grey water system. If it is, we can do the set-up for you. We strongly recommend that you don’t try to do this yourself, as it must comply with the Building Code. You may also need resource consent for any discharges of grey water.  If you’re having a new home built, the Regency Plumbing team can help design the best system to easily integrate into your build plans. Despite the approvals that might be required in your area, we recommend looking into re-using your grey water to help reduce water use in Auckland. Give Regency Plumbing a call and we can start looking into it for you. * Note, the advice given here is meant for guidance and general information. Please consult with your local council or water provider for information that applies to your particular situation and location.

Get your very own water tank installed now so you can use water for whatever you like, whenever you like. We offer great deals on packages and will arrange and install everything for you. As Auckland continues to experience a severe water shortage, more and more people are looking into the possibility of installing a water tank on their property. If you think about all the ways you use non-potable water, it makes perfect sense. First off, what is non-potable water and what can you use it for? Potable water is water that is treated so that it is safe for human consumption – the water we use for drinking, cooking, food preparation, washing dishes, brushing our teeth, bathing and showering. Non-potable water isn’t consumed and doesn’t come into contact with food, so it doesn’t need to be treated in the way drinking water is. Non-potable water can be collected in your own water tank and used for: washing the car rinsing the boat watering the garden flushing the toilet washing sports equipment, bikes, surf boards, soccer boots, etc water blasting the deck hosing down the garden or roof on fireworks night When you really think about it, we use water a lot at the home or bach – and often it doesn’t need to be treated. Rain water or tank water would be fine – and it’s free!  Having your own water tank is a game changer… Have you felt the impact of the Auckland water shortage yet? Has it inconvenienced you?Are you curious about having your own water tank?Are you tired of not being able to wash your car?Do you have a boat you don’t use because you can’t wash it?Maybe you’re a keen gardener, but your garden’s becoming a desert. There are a number of practical reasons why it makes sense to get a water tank installed. The good news on water tanks… Regency Plumbing has some great package deals on tanks, ranging in size from 1000 to 25,000 litres – and all fitted with a pump. We can supply and install for you, getting you ready for summer. There is a small upfront investment, but the ongoing benefits of having your own water tank and water supply are worth it. You’ll save money on your water use and you’ll enjoy the convenience of having your own supply for whatever you like. So, get in touch with Regency Plumbing and have your water tank installed before summer. Call… 0800 PLUMBER / 0800 758 623 We have put together some very special packages on water tanks to enable you to get your very own personal water supply that you can use for whatever you wish this summer. Maybe you’ve got a nice boat in the garage you can’t use because you’re not allowed to wash it. Then we have a deal for you. Our water tank special package includes: A Promax 1000 litre water tank, 7 colours to choose from, A plastic pump cover box, colour matched to water tank, A domestic Wallace HJ60 water pump – a powerful little pump, Pipe and fittings to set up water tank and pump (maximum of 5m pipe length), A copper pipe feed to a hose tap securely mounted – ready for use, An electrician to install an outdoor power supply, PLUS – fitting of one downpipe from spouting to tank, and over flow back to storm water outlet (maximum of 6m pipe length), Additional downpipes can be added for a small additional cost, depending on length and distance, accessibility and proximity to the water tank. *NOW ONLY $3987 inc GST Installed This is a great water tank solution at a very affordable price. It would be tragic to leave the boat in the garage all summer, just because you can’t wash it when you come back in. Your tomatoes will only grow big and ripen if you keep them watered. If you want to water blast your slimy paths and deck, you’re going to need your own water tank. This is a great option. The best deal on water tank installation in Auckland! You can grab the standard set up with a 1000 litre water tank, or you can take advantage of this incredible upgrade offer if you secure your booking with a deposit by the 30 November 2020, including 2 massively discounted upgrade options. You can upgrade the package to a 3000 litre water tank for just $200 inc GST extra Or you can upgrade the package to a 5000 litre water tank for just $400 inc GST extra In addition, you will get a complimentary $50 voucher for your choice of either Burnsco Marine if you’re a boatie, or a $50 voucher to Kings Plant Barn if you’re a keen gardener Water tanks have never been more worthwhile, and so much in demand. They are the game changer for summer if you’re an avid boatie, gardener, or have just bought a new car. So, for your own water tank and water supply, the small upfront investment is definitely worth it for the long-term benefit of saving money on water and the convenience of having your own supply to use on whatever you like. So, get in touch with Regency Plumbing and have your water tank installed in Auckland by summer. Call… 0800 PLUMBER / 0800 758 623 *Terms and conditions apply on all packages. The price is based on a level site and access being possible by human effort and lifting (no mechanical assistance required). The price is based on a basic set of requirements for set out and installation. Valid until 31 December 2020. NOTE: Due to popular demand, stock is limited, so order times are extended more than what we would usually expect. In most cases installation will be made within 15 – 20 working days, but subject to availability of water tanks. We will do our best to get your new water tank fitted as soon as possible.