In developing countries, according to UNICEF more than 884 million people lack easy access to safe, clean water, and this number is still growing. This means that only about one in every eight people has water when and where they need it. Along with this using water, particularly hot water, contributes to global warming by increasing the emissions of greenhouse gases. Furthermore according to the UK Environment Agency the average family in the developed world uses about 500 litres of water per day, which produces around 1.5 tons of greenhouse gasses every year.

In Australia the average family wastes according to the Environment Protection Authority based in Queensland about 60000 litres of water a year, this alarming figure needs to be cut down and it is therefore, extremely important that you try to conserve water. You will find that it pays to save water, and if you follow these five simple tips for water conservation you will soon see your water bills decrease significantly.

For example it may be a well know piece of advice but leaving the water running while you brush your teeth or massage the shampoo into your hair is not only entirely unnecessary, it can also waste hundreds of litres of water. By simply turning off the tap while doing these things, you can save money and the environment.

1. Invest in Water Efficient Shower Heads and Faucets as well as a Low Flow Toilet

According to Environment Canada today, we use nearly 50% more water than we used to. This is partly down to the fact that showers have become more powerful and household appliances use more water to run. Showers and faucets make up about 35% of our total daily water consumption. By using more efficient faucets and shower heads, you can still enjoy your showers, but with the knowledge that you are not using more water than you need to.
Toilets use about 40% of the total daily water consumption in a household. Using a more efficient flush system for your toilet could greatly reduce that percentage and save you a lot of money in the long run.

2. Outside Water Tanks

Collect any rain water that falls (after all its free!) into a water tank to store for use around the garden, this is a great way to save and store water so that it can be used for the gardening or even washing the car therefore saving you from taking the water from the tap.

3. Toilet Gadgets!

Ok so these may not be at the top of many must have gadgets lists but there are an increasing number of gadgets you can use in the tank of your toilet that help to cut down on water supply. Some of these gadgets use polyethylene to reduce the amount of water flushed away and can save up to 2.5 litres per flush! That equates to a lot of saved water by the end of the year!

4. Be Smart when using water in the garden!

Maintaining a garden especially throughout the summer takes up a lot of time and water, however there are ways to limit the water that you do use. As mentioned above outside water tanks help to save but other simple tips such as leaving your grass to go slightly brown or not cutting it short (longer grass needs less water) can save tips. Checking the weather forecast and waiting for rain, using a watering can instead of a hosepipe all saves a lot of water. Finally the planning of your garden to make sure plants get some shade during part of the day is an excellent way to cut down on watering needs

5. Fix Leaks and Insulate Your Homes Water Pipes

You may not think that a leaky faucet or shower head wastes a lot of water, but all those drops add up and a leaky faucet could waste up to 75 litres of water per day. So just imagine how much water a larger leak can waste.

When taking a shower, you probably need to leave the water running for a few minutes to warm up before you get in. By insulating your water pipes, the water will heat up much faster, and you can save water by not leaving the water on for longer than you have to. It also pays to have your water heater checked at least yearly, to ensure that it is working as efficiently as possible.

By Trent Bardon, a writer for Sydney Water Tanks

Many people may be considering adding another rain water tank for fire fighting purposes or perhaps even replacing one damaged by fire last summer. Before you buy a rainwater tanks, consider the effects fire may have before making your purchase.

The simple facts are that plastics melts and concrete can crack under extreme heat. So to prevent fire damage to rainwater tanks try to have them installed underground or at least in a protected spot under the house. The longer your tanks last the longer they can hold water to help protect your home from fire.

For more info, check with your your local rainwater tank supplier.

The report highlights that the yield and the cost of rain water tanks varies significantly based on individual household variables, including the size of the roof collection area, water tank size, number of occupants in the home and annual rainfalls. A water tank's yield is determined by both the volume and timing of run-off into the tank and the volume and timing of usage.

The water tank report is available as a PDF download from the Victorian Water Industry association website.

You could also ask your local water tank supplier for details too.

• The water tank must be 2000 litre capacity or more and be purchased an installed beteween 1st July 2007 and 30th June 2009.
• If your house isn't connected to main water, your eligible for a rebate on the purchase of the tank only.

Rebates are as follows:

Rainwater tank capacity: 2000 - 3999 litres
Rebate: $150
Connection to toilet: $500
Connection to washing machine: $500
Maximum Total: $1150

Rainwater tank capacity: 4000 - 6999 litres
Rebate: $400
Connection to toilet: $500
Connection to washing machine: $500
Maximum Total: $1400

Rainwater tank capacity: 7000+ litres
Rebate: $500
Connection to toilet: $500
Connection to washing machine: $500
Maximum Total: $1500

For details see the NSW governments environmental website

Rainwater Tank size: 2000 - 4999 litre capacity
Requirements: connected to toilet and/or laundry
Rebate: $500

Rainwater Tank size: 5000+ litre capacity
Requirements: connected to toilet or laundry
Rebate: $900

Rainwater Tank size: 5000+ litre capacity
Requirements: connected to toilet and laundry
Rebate: $1000

A $150 rebate for tanks 600 litres or larger not connected for indoor also applies.

See Our Water Our Future website for more.

• Preferred Listing within one Australian region
• Map of your business location
• Detailed profile
• Listing of up to 5 products
• Business contact detail

Compare membership options here.

Why join the GetGreen Water Tanks Directory?

With so many green directories around, why would you join ours? Simple. Our directory is solely focused on water tank suppliers. Our Water Tank directory provides customers with details of your business and it's geographic location.

Our surveys show that customers are more likely to purchase a rainwater tank from a local supplier. This being the case, providing consumer with detailed information of your business and it's location is our prime objective.

Prime Positions are up for grabs

We're in the process of adding free listings to our database for regions throughout Australua. A free listing includes basic business details such as business name, address and phone. For a comprehensive listing, water tanks suppliers and distributes can purchase one of 3 different packages.

The following prime positions won't last long:

• water tanks Melbourne
• water tanks Sydney
• water tanks Brisbane

If you're a water tank distributer interested in achieving greater exposure for your business, contact us for further details.

UPDATE: Unfortunately this tank is not longer available through Neco.

• How to maximise the potential of a rainwater tank
• Urban Dams
• How much rainwater will you collect
• Water tanks and new homes
• Rainwater pumps
• Rebates and policy
• Water safety and quality
• Water Tank maintenance

Visit the ARID website to download your copy of the Rainwater Saver Guide.

• Benefits
• Before you Start
• Outdoor/Indoor/Drinking
• Tank Facts
• Costs and Extras
• Water saving tips
• Case Studies

View the CHOICE guide to buying a rainwater tank.

There are rainwater tanks of all shapes and sizes to fit in a small court yard. The Waterwall, for example, can fit across a back fence or sideway, while the Rain Reviva make a water bladder that fits under your house.

Some of these factory roofs would literally cover hectares. Tankmasta's raineater calculator suggests that a 1 hectare (1o,000 sq meters) roof in Melbourne would collect 5,877,000 litres of water annually. That's not to be sneezed at!

You can find the rain water calculator at the bottom of Tankmaster's home page.

• Corrugated Water Tanks
• Drink Water Tanks
• Modular Water Tanks
• Slimlie Water Tanks
• Septic Tanks

You can check out the range at the Team Poly website.

Lightweight, high strength interlocking panels clip together to make up the water tank assembly, assembled on site.

You can find out more at the Elmich VersiTank product page.

"Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said the change was needed because the rebate program would not conserve the city's water supplies unless people started using rainwater inside their homes."

Brisbane has been struggling to keep water consumption down to 140 L per person and although this change to the rebate rules may hurt the hip pocket, it will go a long way to helping Brisbane reach the consumption target.

This all depends on your budget and whether the tank is above or below ground. Currently Polyethylene tanks are the most cost effective, but you may wish to consider other materials.

Polyethylene rainwater tanks are light, durable, easy to transport and come in a wide range of colours. They can be used above or below ground, however they generally don’t last as long as a concrete tank.

Fibreglass water tanks tend to be more resistant to rust and chemical corrosion and generally best suited to above ground instillations.

Concrete rain water tanks are long lasting, durable and can be built above or below ground. Above ground, concrete has the advantage of keeping water cooler and reducing algal growth.

Metal rain water tanks, like polyethylene, are light, durable and easy to transport. Bluescope Steel offer a great rang of metal tanks.

You can buy a huge range of rainwater tanks through ebay.

• Water tank size
• Instillation requirements
• What material the water tank is made of
• Delivery

You can purchase a 1000 Litre tank for as little as $300, or for something smaller, Australian Waste Management sell wheelie bins, 120 Litres from $65. Now a days you can order rain water tanks in all shapes and sizes (and costs) but you can pick up a larger tank of 5,000 Litres for as little as $1500. Need something a little larger? A 100,000 Litre tank will cost you around $8000.

Add to this the cost of tank instillation and plumbing by a registered plumber which will vary depending on whether or not you’re going to use your tank water for the toilet and laundry. Typically, a small above ground tank will cost you around $300 to install plus the cost of a pump – starting at around $200.

Check out rainwater tanks for sale through ebay.