If you live in the outback or towns in areas prone to drought and bushfires, you'll probably be aware of the importance of accessing water supplies when you need them. But have you taken steps to make sure you harvest as much rainwater as possible so that your home's supplies aren't compromised when emergencies arise? Have you made your home as water efficient as possible to comply with Australia's world-leading efficiency ratings?

If not, a transportable concrete water tank could be a useful addition to your home. They are easy to install, can be customised to fit your land and needs, and can be built and transported by your local concrete contractors in a few days. They may sound like a simple solution, but water tanks can be a life saver. Here are the three major ways they could improve your home and quality of life.

Harvest Rainwater to Adapt Your Home to Australia's Climate

In a country as hot and (in many places) arid as Australia, water is a priceless commodity and having the ability to collect and use rainwater for domestic or industrial purposes can be crucial for homeowners and businesses alike. If you live in areas like South Australia, where the mean annual rainfall can be as low as 159mm, any rainwater that you store will enable you to maintain lush lawns and flower beds and save money on expensive water bills.

One way to instantly make your home more water efficient is by purchasing a transportable concrete water tank and placing it near your home or business facility. It won't just provide a handy water reserve. Reticulated water supplies can often contain levels of minerals or other substances that make them unattractive to consume, problems that don't occur with properly stored rainwater.

Meet National Efficiency Ratings on Your Property

Another benefit of renovating your water storage equipment is that it can help to meet Australia's home energy efficiency ratings. The 6-Star scheme for homes started out with a focus on electricity generation and insulation, but Victoria and South Australia have taken the scheme further, encompassing features like rainwater tanks, passive solar water heating systems and water efficient showerheads. By meeting these rigorous standards, you can raise the value of your home and drive down your utility bills — so it's well worth making the effort. Rainwater collection is a key part of meeting water efficiency standards, another excellent reason to install a transportable concrete water tank on your land.

Ensure a Readily Available Emergency Supply of Water

There's also a more dramatic use for concrete water tanks: natural disasters. Homes with readily available rainwater to fight bushfires are in a much better position to deal with blazes when they arise (and bushfire preparation is part of Victoria's 6-star efficiency checklist as well). Additionally, in areas where bushfires are prevalent, groundwater sources can become contaminated by ashes, the bodies of dead animals or even fire retardant chemicals used by emergency services. When that happens, you'll be glad you installed a bushfire proof transportable water tank.

A properly installed water tank near your property has a number of potential uses. You could purify rainfall and turn it into potable water. You can use the grey water for washing or passive solar heating. You can feed animals or water gardens, and you can either fight fires or have a reserve to use should bushfires disrupt ordinary water supplies. A rainwater tank will boost your home's efficiency and its overall value as well, making it an investment that many Australian homes can benefit from.