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Rebates
The Australian Government has announced that it will no longer be providing rebates for rainwater tanks or greywater systems under the National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative. Rainwater tanks or greywater systems purchased after 10 May 2011 will not be eligible for a rebate but there are still some state government schemes available. We've included some state details below but there may also be rebate programmes or incentive schemes available through your local council.
Victoria
The Living Victoria Water Rebate Programme seeks to reward Victorians for their water-efficient efforts. Rebates are available on a range of products and appliances. All households are eligible for the home and garden rebates and rebates are currently available for products purchased and installed between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2015.
Small businesses are also eligible to recieve rebates. For more information, including claim form, please click here.
Western Australia
The H2O Assist programme allows home and business owners to purchase new water-efficient products or upgrade old products at a subsidised rate. There are currently two rainwater tanks offered by the programme and it should be noted that the cost of plumbing for use within the home (e.g. toilet flushing or in the laundry) is not included.
For more information, please click here.
The Water Tank Group is a division of the Association of Rotational Moulders Australasia, the industry body that represents manufacturers of polyethylene water tanks. We encourage customers to take a balanced approach when considering warranty periods; polyethylene is a long lasting material and extended warranties are largely unnecessary. The most important thing to consider when purchasing a tank is whether or not the product has been made by a reputable manufacturer so you never need to make a warranty claim.
If you're looking to buy a tank, you can enquire about the weight of the product which should help you to compare how much material has gone into the tank and give some indication of its thickness and strength. With plastic tanks, it is important that the walls are thick and strong and that light cannot penetrate the material. Another method of determining the quality of a tank is to ask if it has been made in accordance to AS/NZS 4766:2006. This is the Australian and New Zealand Standard for Polyethylene Water Tanks. Companies who manufacture to this standard regularly test their products to ensure the highest possible quality. For steel or concrete tanks, wall thickness is not as important an issue as these materials are stronger and UV-proof. There is currently no water tank specific standard for these tanks and as such, your warranty is only as good as the company that you purchase from. We recommend researching your manufacturer or supplier and getting multiple quotes before deciding on a tank. Before you purchase a tank or consider a lengthy warranty period, ask how warranty claims should be made and how they will be handled by the company. It is also a good idea to get a detailed explanation of what is and is not covered by the warranty. For more purchasing tips, click here.
There are very strict guidelines in both Australia and New Zealand for companies who provide guarantees or warranties with their products. It is important to note that while poly tanks can be easily moved and installed without the help of a professional, most warranties will be voided if the tank is transferred to another location or not properly installed and maintained. Most warranties have stringent conditions for you to be able to make a claim and the most important of these is your proof of purchase. Be sure to keep such records safe.
