Coastline Plastics underground water tanks can play an important role in defending a house against the threat of bushfire. Along with fire fighting equipment, the purchase of a Coastline Plastics’ underground water tank is an investment in your house and assets.  

Australia is the driest continent on earth. Devastating bushfires are a part of Australian summers. Home owners can reduce the impact of a bushfire by having a rain water tank. Having an independent rain water tank in a bushfire prone area is vital in saving your house. However, the home owner needs to ascertain that the tank itself can withstand the effects of a severe fire front and continue to retain and supply water. With a Coastline Plastics Underground Water Tank there is no way a bushfire can destroy your water source at such a vital time.  

Tank water can become contaminated from leaf and animal debris from the roof catchment area. For those in a bushfire affected area this will include smoke, debris and ash as well as the possibility of dead animals and birds being washed into the tank water when it rains after the bushfire.

The installation of a large first flush diverter will eliminate a lot of the contaminated water. Coastline Plastics’ diverters are between 60 and 100 litres in capacity, depending on style and installation. This water is not necessarily wasted - it can be diverted directly to a garden. A diverter also helps a tank remain cleaner for longer, without a sludge build up. 

Ash from a bushfire should not make drinking water unsafe but it can affect the water’s taste and possibly its colour. The home owner should watch the quality of his/her tank water to determine if there are visual signs of change or any taste or odour problems. If there is any doubt about water quality, they should drink from an alternate supply until the tank water can be tested or the tank can be cleaned out.

Also, many people don’t realise that diverters made from stormwater pipes rarely hold more than 15 litres of water – about a bucket and a half, which isn’t a lot to clean a whole roof. The larger the diverter, the cleaner the tank water will be, even after a bushfire.

Facts:     

  1. Coastline Plastics underground water tanks are rated to carry a static load of 500kg. They are thereby suitable to be placed underneath driveways or gardens/lawns. (Install to engineer’s requirements) 
  2. Concrete anchoring is not required for the majority of situations. 
  3. Vertical ribbed engineered design gives the tanks additional overall strength. This combined with the extra thickness of plastic makes for a very strong tank. Coastline Plastics’ policy is to make all tanks to a minimum 3.5 safety factor. Meets Australia Standards AS/NZ 1546.1, AS 4020 & AS 2070. 
  4. Unique extended moulded in feet protrude, causing extra friction in all types of ground. This helps reduce the incidence of floating, which is especially helpful in water charged areas. (Install to engineer’s requirements) 
  5. Small footprint can reduce impact to property as well as save excavation costs. 
  6. Shallow excavation depth for capacity means cheaper installation. Three of Coastline Plastics’ tanks are within the Work Cover guidelines for working at depths. 
  7. Quick supply due to large stock held. Coastline Plastics order/delivery statistics show that most of their tanks are delivered within 7 days of request. 
  8. Now available with centre and off centre inlet options 
  9. Tanks are suitable for grey water collection and stormwater retention too. 
  10. Tanks can be also installed in high water table areas following engineer’s guidelines. 
  11. Rain Brain Mains Water Systems are recommended. (The smaller Rain Bank is available on request)