With freshwater very limited, Australians have had to turn to rainwater collection systems. While obviously they do have systems in place to filter and purify water it is very expensive and not ideal for many families already feeling the pinch from a high cost of living. In June 2007, the Bracks Government announced that a $3.1 billion Wonthaggi desalination plant would be built on Victoria's south-east coast, capable of treating 150 billion litres of water per year as well as a 70 km (43 mi) pipeline from the Goulburn area in Victoria's north to Melbourne and a new water pipeline linking Melbourne and Geelong. Both projects are being conducted under controversial Public-Private Partnerships and a multitude of independent reports have found that neither project is required to supply water to the city.
Rainwater tanks hold potable water that can be used for cooking, cleaning, plumbing and drinking. The installation and initial costs to implement such a system are steep, but a far wiser investment as opposed to the other option of paying the high price for water from the private companies filtering the salt water on the coast.
So how much rain are these tanks able to collect? For every 1,000 square feet of roofing, 1 inch of rain is equal to 623 gallons of water. I'm just guessing here, but I'm pretty sure these Aussies turn the water off while they are brushing their teeth!
Here is a video showcasing one brand of water tank available (try to ignore the dramatic song playing throughout the video):
Info on rainwater tanks:
Info on Melbourne, Australia:
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