Rainwater collection or harvesting is a handy thing to do. It allows you to collect and use rainwater, which is available naturally for tasks such as washing clothes or dishes or even watering indoor plants. This water is generally not used for drinking but can be used though it will have to go through some processing and cleaning before it can be used. Using this harvested water can help reduce your water bills to some extent which is beneficial for the wallet.
Water is often collected in rain collection tanks or water tanks. Let us look at which tank will be best for you and suit your needs.
Different materials can be used to make a water tank
ConcreteThis tank, as you can expect, is quite bulky and often installed underground. Hence, installing it can be pretty expensive, especially in an already constructed home. This can be a viable option if you are in the middle of construction, although it will still be expensive because of the additional digging processes.
- Metal
Although a great material because of its lightweight and easy to install, it is not preferred that often. This is because metal starts corroding and rusting, getting into the water and making it contaminated.
- Plastic
Plastic tanks are the most commonly used tanks as they are easy and inexpensive to install. They are also long-lasting, but some plastics are more preferred than others. This is because certain materials can start developing algae, thus can contaminate your collected water.
- Bladder
These rain collection tanks are used only when one has more horizontal and prostrate space than an open and more extended space. They expand as they get filled with water. But they can be pretty expensive as the cost of pipes that connect this bladder to your storage unit on the roof can be a lot.
Does the color of the tanks matter?
The color of the tank matters. Some colors can absorb sunlight and heat, whereas colors repel heat and keep the water cool. Warmer water constantly being bathed with sunlight has much higher chances of developing algae. This will contaminate the water and make it unusable, making all your efforts in vain.
Also, the color should blend with the surroundings not to stand out entirely and make the house look weird. Although, this is the second priority; and keeping the water usable should always be first.
