Rain Water Pump Installations

When a home rainwater tank needs a pump, the installation details shape how water is drawn, pressurised and delivered to the intended outlets. A rainwater pump installation can involve the tank, filter, pipework and controls, so clear information about the location and intended use helps you choose a plumbing business with confidence.

Set up a rainwater pump around the way water will be used

A rainwater pump installation is usually considered when stored tank water is intended to serve taps, irrigation, toilets or a laundry. The pump draws water from the tank and pressurises it for use. It may sit beside the tank or be located in a pump cover, shed, garage or beneath an eave.

The starting point is the intended water use and the proposed layout. A plumbing business can consider the pump duty, the tank and pipework arrangement, access to the location and the equipment already chosen. This gives the installation a practical basis rather than treating the pump as a separate item.

What may form part of a rainwater tank pump installation

A typical arrangement may connect a small to medium electric pump with a rainwater tank, filter and pipework. The pump and its controls work together to move water from storage and create pressure for the selected outlets.

Before installation, the proposed duty or layout is usually confirmed. Relevant site considerations can include isolation, access, supports, falls, clearances, commissioning requirements and how the completed system will be maintained. These details are specific to the property and proposed equipment, which is why photos, drawings and measurements can be useful from the outset.

Information that helps shape the installation

Good information can make an initial discussion about a water tank pump installation more focused. Where available, prepare:

photos, drawings or specifications for the proposed pump location;
the preferred product or fixture service, if one has already been selected;
access dimensions, isolation points and nearby existing services;
the property address, contact person and access instructions;
timing requirements, tenant access or project-program constraints; and
labels or details for existing equipment, including pump make and model, duty label, controller type, pressure gauge reading and any alarm condition.

For an existing pump arrangement, short videos can also help show whether a pump runs continuously, does not run at all, or behaves inconsistently.

When an existing rainwater pump arrangement needs attention

An installation discussion may arise alongside an existing problem, particularly where replacement or changes to the layout are being considered. Report the symptoms plainly rather than trying to diagnose the cause. Relevant observations can include no water, noisy operation, cycling on and off, water hammer, or a loss of prime after a tank has run dry.

Low tank level, blocked inlet strainers, failed pressure controllers and air leaks on suction lines are among the issues that can affect a system. Those possibilities do not identify the cause at a particular property; the surrounding layout, equipment details and observed behaviour all matter.

Choose the right water-pump service

Rainwater pump installation is one part of domestic water-pump work. If the pump is already in place and is not operating as expected, Rain Water Pump Repairs may be the more relevant starting point. Other household pump needs can relate to reticulation, hot water pumps or general water-pump installation and repairs.

Use Find a Master Plumber to choose a plumbing business for your service needs. Find a Master Plumber connects customers with Master Plumbers and plumbing businesses associated with the Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association of Western Australia, and is backed by that Association.

Brands and products customers may encounter

Product names may appear on an existing pump, controller, tank system or supplier information. Examples customers may encounter include Reece, Galvins, Tradelink, Allied Pumps, Grundfos, Davey, Onga, Lowara, DAB and Pentair. These names are associated with product systems and supply channels relevant to this service; their presence does not determine which option suits a particular installation.

Providing clear photos of labels and existing equipment can help identify what is already on site when you are discussing rain water pump installations.

Questions to ask before proceeding

What water outlets are intended to be served from the tank?
Where is the proposed pump location, and what access is available?
Is there existing equipment that needs to be considered?
Are there nearby services, isolation points or access constraints to share?
What ongoing maintenance considerations apply to the finished arrangement?

Frequently asked questions

What does a rainwater pump do?

It draws water from a rainwater tank and pressurises it for intended uses such as taps, irrigation, toilets or a laundry.

Where can a rainwater pump be located?

It is often located beside the tank, in a pump cover, shed, garage or under an eave. The appropriate location depends on the proposed layout and site conditions.

Is rainwater from a tank potable?

Rainwater is considered non-potable unless further treatment is carried out.

What details should I provide for a rainwater pump installation?

Useful details include photos or drawings of the location, access dimensions, nearby services, isolation points, intended water use and any selected product information.

What if the existing pump has no water or keeps cycling?

Share the symptoms, tank level and available equipment details. No water, cycling, noise and loss of prime can have different causes, so the specific arrangement needs to be considered.

What is the difference between installation and repair?

Installation concerns the proposed pump, tank, filter, pipework and layout. Repair is more relevant when an existing pump system has an operating issue.