Approval needed before rainwater tank is installed

2 December 2005

Approval needed before rainwater tank is installed

Toowoomba residents can save themselves time and money by going through the correct approval process before installing their rainwater tank.

Toowoomba City Council advises residents to go through the correct procedure to avoid unnecessary delays and costs.

Development Assessment Portfolio Chair Cr Michele Alroe said people are installing rainwater tanks without approval being granted.

“Some residents are virtually doubling the waiting time for approval by doing it back the front.”

Residents wanting to install a rainwater tank and take advantage of Council’s $500 rebate need to fill out and submit the correct forms – forms 1 and 2 for plumbing works and the rebate form – and attach a site plan with full dimensions before approval can be granted.

The site plan should show that the tank is clear of any Council infrastructure such as manholes or water, sewerage and stormwater pipes.

“The more accurate information given in the application and on the site plan, the more chance residents have of gaining approval in the shortest time possible,” Cr Alroe said.

“It saves Council having to send information requests which invariably delay the process even further. If an information request is sent the applicant must provide the relevant information for the application to proceed. Once the information has been provide the application will start at the beginning of the process again.

“Council already waives the approval cost, which starts at $160,” Cr Alroe said.

Even those residents not wanting the rebate need to ensure their tank complies with siting regulations.

Large tanks (bigger that 10 sq meters) may require a building approval

By gaining approval before installing a rainwater tank, residents protect themselves from the unnecessary cost of moving the tank.

“Tanks put in without Council approval and ignoring existing infrastructure can mean that if residents have a blocked drain or other plumbing problem on their property, the tank may block access to a manhole or prevent equipment or people accessing the site,” Cr Alroe added.

Under both the Plumbing and Drainage Act and the Water Act, Council can issue ratepayers with significant fines if they fail to gain approval before installing a tank.

Cr Alroe said there would be no Council rebate if there was no application form.

For residents to get the full rebate they must install a pressure pump that links up to at least one yard tap and there should be dual plumbing to at least one toilet.  The rainwater tank capacity must be 5,000 litres or more.

“Council’s workload in this area is already significant due to demands from the development industry so if residents can do the right thing, applications can be processed more quickly and rebates can be paid sooner,” Cr Alroe said.

The correct steps in seeking Council approval are:
1. Obtain forms 1 and 2 for plumbing works and the rebate form from the Council website or from the ground floor of 543 Ruthven Street
2. Fill out the forms and attach a site plan which includes a full dimensions showing where the tank is proposed to be located. And a copy of the receipt for the rainwater tank.
3. Submit to Council
4. Council then sends out plumbing approval – in the top left hand corner is the approval reference number and phone contact to ring when the tank is installed to arrange an inspection.
5. Once the tank has been inspected and it complies with regulations, the $500 rebate will be paid to the resident.