Pureco Plumbing Group is a Perth-based plumbing and gas fitting company providing residential, commercial and industrial plumbing services across the metropolitan area. The business specialises in maintenance, repairs, gas fitting, hot water systems, drainage...
Rainwater Harvesting Installation in Kelmscott, WA 6111
Turn roof runoff into a planned water source
A rainwater harvesting installation captures rainfall before it becomes stormwater runoff, stores it in a tank and directs it to suitable later uses. For commercial and industrial sites, the decision is rarely just about placing a tank beside a building. Roof catchment, available space, water demand, access, existing drainage and the intended end use all shape the system.
Rainwater may be considered for irrigation, washdown, toilet flushing, laundry use, cooling systems, process water, garden watering and other approved non-potable purposes. A commercial rainwater harvesting installation can therefore involve several connected parts rather than a tank alone.
What a rainwater harvesting system can involve
System design starts with how water will be collected, stored, moved and used at the site. The right combination of components depends on the building and the proposed application.
- Collection: roof gutters, downpipes and catchment areas can direct rainfall towards storage.
- Pre-storage protection: leaf guards, first-flush diverters and inlet strainers can be part of the collection arrangement.
- Storage: above-ground or below-ground tanks, tank bases, level indicators and overflow pipework may be required.
- Water delivery: pumps, pressure controllers, pipework, isolation valves and non-return valves can move stored water to its intended use.
- Connections and protection: make-up water connections, backflow prevention and cross-connection protection may need consideration where rainwater is connected near a potable water supply.
- Water treatment: filtration, UV or disinfection equipment may be relevant where required for the proposed use.
Match the installation to the intended water use
The intended use should be clear before decisions are made about tank placement, pipework, pumping and treatment. Water used for irrigation or washdown presents a different planning question from water proposed for use inside a building.
Further treatment, maintenance and testing may be needed where rainwater is intended for drinking, food preparation, showers, hand basins or other potable-water uses. Clearly explain the proposed use when discussing a commercial rainwater harvesting system installation with a plumbing business.
Site details that shape the project
A useful early conversation is based on the physical site and the operational constraints around it. On commercial and industrial properties, access, asset information and disruption to operations can be as important as the tank itself.
- Identify the site address, a contact person and practical access instructions.
- Note the roof catchment area, gutters and downpipes, with photos where available.
- Describe the intended water use and whether water will be used inside the building.
- Consider tank size preferences, available space, the proposed tank location and the stormwater discharge point.
- Identify proposed pump location, power availability and whether mains top-up is required.
- Provide relevant asset IDs, drawings, manuals, service records and maintenance history where they are available.
- Flag site inductions, permitted working hours, shutdown restrictions, permits or other access controls that may affect the work.
For an industrial rainwater tank installation, it can also be important to identify process impacts, isolation requirements, environmental controls and any critical production considerations.
Consider stormwater as part of the whole site
Rainwater harvesting sits within the broader stormwater and drainage arrangement. Roof runoff, pits, tanks, drains and disposal pathways need to work together, particularly where overflow from the tank must be directed to the site’s stormwater discharge connection.
Existing conditions can influence planning. Information about pit locations, inspection openings, drainage concerns, surrounding areas and any previous service history gives a plumbing business a clearer starting point. Where a site has slow drainage, blocked drainage or water backing up, that information should be raised as part of the discussion rather than treated as separate from the rainwater project.
Products customers may encounter
Customers considering a commercial rainwater tank installation may encounter names such as Kingspan, Polymaster, Pioneer Water Tanks, Aquamate, Bushmans, Davey, Grundfos, Puretec, Iplex and Vinidex. These are examples of brands, manufacturers, products and supply channels associated with rainwater and plumbing-related systems. Their appearance in a proposal or existing installation does not, by itself, determine what is suitable for a particular site.
Ask how any proposed components relate to the collection arrangement, storage, pumping, filtration, pipework, overflow and intended water use. This keeps the conversation focused on the complete system and the site’s practical requirements.
Choose a plumbing business with the right project information
Commercial and industrial sites often have higher access, safety and continuity requirements. Providing a clear brief helps a plumbing business understand the location, the proposed work and the conditions that may affect installation.
Find a Master Plumber connects customers with Master Plumbers and plumbing businesses associated with the Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association of Western Australia. Choosing a Master Plumber helps consumers make a more informed choice of plumbing business for their property or project.
For related site water-management work, consider the broader Storm Water Systems and Drainage service family. If an existing rainwater system needs attention rather than a new installation, Rainwater Harvesting Repairs and Maintenance may be the more relevant starting point.
Frequently asked questions
What does rainwater harvesting installation involve?
It relates to collecting rainwater from roofs, gutters or catchment areas, storing it in a tank and directing it to suitable later uses. The installation may involve collection components, storage, pumps, pipework, overflow arrangements, filtration or protection measures depending on the site and intended use.
Can harvested rainwater be used inside a commercial building?
Rainwater may be used for toilet flushing, laundry use and other approved non-potable purposes. If water is proposed for drinking, food preparation, showers, hand basins or other potable uses, further assessment, filtration, disinfection, maintenance and testing may be required.
What information should I provide for a rainwater harvesting project?
Useful details include the site address, roof catchment area, intended use, tank size preference, available space, proposed tank and pump locations, stormwater discharge point, power availability, access requirements and whether mains top-up is required.
Why does overflow need to be considered?
A rainwater harvesting system may include overflow pipework and a stormwater discharge connection. The overflow arrangement is part of how stored water and roof runoff relate to the wider site drainage system.
What is the difference between a new installation and maintenance?
A new installation focuses on establishing the collection, storage, pumping and connection arrangements for a rainwater system. Repairs and maintenance relate to an existing system and may be more appropriate where the site already has rainwater harvesting equipment.