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Water tanks and watering equipment
The aim of this page is to help Qld residents learn about tools and equipment to store water or deliver water to plants efficiently, and where to buy them.
Your local government authority should be your first port of call for information about watering restrictions, irrigation regulations and related information applicable to your area. Links to many Qld councils are provided on the Regional Pages.
Various government authorities may have money available to help with the purchase of tanks or water saving devices. Contact your local council to see what's available and whether you qualify. On a state government level, the following link may be helpful: WaterWise Rebate Schemes (Department of Natural Resources and Water, Queensland Government)
NB: In a water crisis, what's allowed can change frequently. Make yourself aware of current watering rules to avoid fines. Rebate schemes are also changing, so make sure you check with the authorities responsible for the most up-to-date information.
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On other pages:
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Suppliers of water tanks or watering equipment
For the most up-to-date information on opening hours, items in stock, prices etc, be sure to contact the business directly. The following list may include online retailers and mail order suppliers.
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HOSELINK
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If you're sick of shoddy garden hose fittings that dribble, spurt and fall off, switch to Hoselink.
An Australian-designed Hoselink connector is guaranteed to never burst off your garden hose if fitted correctly, saving you time, stress and water. (More information about development, testing and the Hoselink guarantee at the
WEBSITE
).
Range includes tap connector, hose joiner, flow controller, nozzle, and the water-efficient trigger spray. Purchase individually or as kits. A Hoselink kit makes a great practical gift for anyone who owns a garden hose!
Hoselink fittings can now be ordered direct from the company via the
WEBSITE
.
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NECO
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Pictured: The Grey Waterchief Hose
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Innovative and environmentally responsible products for the home, garden & office are available to order online from Neco, the eco superstore.
For the gardener, there's composting equipment and worm farms, pest control products, landscape lighting, water-saving devices, books and even wind-up radios.
Non-toxic cleaning products, personal and pet care items, homewares, office supplies, alternative energy, energy-efficient lighting also available.
Ideas for unusual but useful gifts to help your friends save energy and the environment, too. Check out the entire range at the Neco
WEBSITE
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WET EARTH
Irrigation Supplies Australia
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Wet Earth offers water tanks, pumps and irrigation supplies with the convenience of online ordering and delivery anywhere in Australia. The water tank range includes slimeline and bladder tanks plus fittings.
Slimline modular tanks are ideal for narrow spaces and come in different colours and sizes in a flat-pack design. Bladder tanks have a flexible, mattress-like design suitable for storing water in under-floor cavities under houses or verandahs. Different sizes and types available to suit your requirements.
Wet Earth also has pipes, fittings and emitters suitable for greywater systems.
A range of conventional irrigation supplies for both urban and and rural installations from drip and micro to high-volume sprinklers, poly and PVC pipe and fittings, solenoids, valves, controllers also stocked at competitive prices.
Find information and tips, and view the entire range of quality brands available, at the
Wet Earth WEBSITE
.
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POTTERY PLUS
Shop 3c/42 Spine Street,
Sumner Park, Qld 4074
Ph: (07) 3712 0622
www.potteryplus.com.au
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Pottery Plus offers decorative pots, statues, ornaments, bird baths and water features in a range of styles. Preformed ponds, flexible pond liners, pumps, fountains, misters and lights are also available to help you create something special at your place.
Rainwater tanks in a variety of colours, styles and sizes.
Repair & maintenance service (Brisbane area) can help you fix problems with your existing pond or fountain. Pond vacuum cleaner also available for purchase or hire.
Add some greenery to indoor spaces that aren't suitable for live plants from the range of artifical look-alikes, including artificial grass trees and tropical items.
Order online from the Pottery Plus WEBSITE, or view the range in person at the Sumner Park store. Check the WEBSITE for opening hours.
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WATERFORK
Waterfork Australia
Unit 6 / 5 Currumbin Court,
Capalaba, Qld 4157
Ph: (07) 3823 4445
info@waterfork.net
www.waterfork.net
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Waterfork saves water and gets it to the roots of your plants, fast! It also improves soil in the long term by enhancing penetration by rainfall, fertilisers and oxygen.
Simply attach a Waterfork to your garden hose and insert the prongs into the soil near the roots of your trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables and turf. No force required - the water does the work for you.
Manufactured from hardened aluminium for Queensland conditions. For more information, visit the Waterfork Australia website
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THE WATER DIVERTER
Brushland Enterprises
335 Stoney Camp Road, Greenbank, Qld. 4124
ph: (07) 3200 0494
FREE CALL 1800 288 747
sales@thehedgehog.com.au
WEBPAGE
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One millimetre of rain on the average house roof generates 250 litres of water!
With The Water Diverter fitted to your downpipes, you can divert even light rainfall from the roof onto your garden. Can also be used to top up pools and ponds.
Fits standard 90mm PVC downpipes. Installation on other types using adapters. For more information, CLICK HERE. |
ECO BAG
ECO Bag Industries
P.O. Box 3100
Victoria Point West Qld 4165
Phone: 61 7 3207 6873
Fax: 61 7 3207 6873
ECO bag website
|  ECO Bag is a simple water- and labour-efficient way to water trees whether in the suburban garden or remote locations.
Placed around the base of a tree or shrub, the ECO Bag can deliver water to the roots over a long period, via a capillary wick.
For more information go to the ECO bag website. |
Do you have a product suitable for listing on this page? Advertising Information.
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Could a water tank improve your property value?
Archicentre (the Building Advisory Service of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects) suggest that as water restrictions hit many parts of Australia hard, a water tank connected to a drip irrigation will be more likely to attract buyers than some luxuries inside the house. Apart from the landscaping benefits, these systems could also help homeowners control cracking problems resulting from dry soils.
However, Archicentre warn that many homes have roofing problems. fixing and maintaining roofs and gutters will help maximise water harvesting as well as protecting homes against the weather extremes that may accompany climate change
More on what they have to say about these issues at their website:
Drought To Change Home Buyers Priorities (January 2007)
Climate Change Means More Maintenance For Home Owners (January 2007)
Other News
Water tanks implicated in dengue threat
A recently published paper suggests that climate change won't directly increase the risk of dengue fever, because conditions are already suitable for transmission of the disease. It's the proliferation of domestic rainwater tanks that could lead to its spread by providing breeding grounds for the mosquito vector. An EScience News report here: Humans, not climate, driving increased dengue risk in Australia. Original paper here:
Australia's Dengue Risk Driven by Human Adaptation to Climate Change (PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases). (May 2009)
Gold Coast water tank inspections
Beginning 27th April, a six month program of door-to-door inspections of homes the Gold Coast City Council knows to have tanks will commence, "to help keep owners up to date on how to maintain their tank systems to protect their own health and safety." A public education campaign on the topic will also be conducted during this time. More at the GCCC website here: 'Checkup' program to help keep rainwater tanks healthy. (April 2009)
Poly tank recycling
Can poly tanks be recycled after they reach the end of their useful life? If so, how? With homeowners being encouraged to install rainwater tanks at home to help overcome our water supply problems, this issue is becoming increasingly important. One Adelaide resident has been asking tank suppliers some tough questions and you can read the responses at
The Great Australian Poly Tank Debate - can spent tanks be recycled?
What to do with swimming pool water during repairs?
When Moreton Bay Regional Council needs to conduct maintenance and repair on its public swimming pools, the water won't be wasted. It has commissioned eight giant custom-made bladders to hold water during repairs, avoiding the need to use town water to refill the pools (now banned in SEQld) or truck in water at great expense. Source (Moreton Bay Regional Council): Water conservation bladders save thousands of dollars (August, 2008)
Boyce Garden water tanks out of sight
New underground water tanks at The University of Queensland Boyce Garden, Toowoomba, will help solve the problem of maintaining and developing the gardens while preserving the character of the heritage-listed property. More at the University of Queensland website here: Heritage UQ Boyce Garden drought-proofed in Toowoomba (August, 2008)
Including the kitchen sink
Queensland invention the Hughie Sink is designed to fit into an average sink, so that used water can be easily collected and carried to the garden for watering plants. It has won the Smart Approved WaterMark national award for outstanding outstanding water saving product or service. More information at the Smart Approved WaterMark website (July 2008)
Smarter irrigation for Ipswich sports grounds
Several sports field in Ipswich have had a new watering system installed that is expected to save water and money. Soil moisture sensors in the root zone linked to a computerised watering system will ensure that water is only applied when required. Software will enable complex irrigation schedules that would be otherwise difficult to achieve. Read more from Ipswich City Council here: New water sensors keep fields green and save money
More Tanks or New Dams?
A study produced on behalf of a number of environmental groups suggests that major projects like desalination plants and new dams could be delayed if even 5% of households per year in SE QLD and Sydney installed rainwater tanks. Water collection from roofs is particularly efficient in times of low rainfall, as soil does not have to be saturated to achieve runoff. More information at the Australian Conservation Foundation website: Rainwater tanks a viable urban water solution.
More Links
The following links are for general information - remember to check with local authorities to find out what's allowed or required in your area.
Queensland
Queensland Water Commission is a good starting point for water supply and water saving information including the South East Queensland Regional Drought Strategy.
Plumbing Department of Infrastructure and Planning, Qld Govt. Information about plumbing, sewerage, greywater, water saving etc. in Qld
Download: Rainwater tanks Download a PDF factsheet about rainwater tanks from this page. Queensland Environmental Protection Agency
Australia
ARID Australian Rainwater Industry Development group.
International
Garden Hoses Backyard Gardener column, July 7, 1999. Arizona Cooperative Extension, University of Arizona
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