RainWatch Pre Tank Filter System Frequently Asked Questions
How much rain can a rainwater tank collect?
The average home has a roof area of 200m2, and with 40 mm of rain on that area, you could predictably catch 8,000 litres of fresh rainwater, while our flow tests have proven that the RainWatch Rain Water Tank Filter has the ability to clean rainwater in excess of 2000 litres an hour.
What are the guarantees on the RainWatch Filter?
RainWatch Filter canisters are highly durable because they are manufactured from premium-quality, UV-resistant materials such as PMMA (acrylic) and ABS. These materials are designed to withstand both high and low temperatures. In cold conditions, the canisters can generally tolerate temperatures as low as (-40^\circ\text{C}) without suffering structural damage. However, at such temperatures, the material becomes significantly stiffer and more brittle, making it more vulnerable to damage from sudden impacts, particularly if the unit is frozen during installation or handling.
While exposure to freezing temperatures temporarily increases rigidity and brittleness, this effect is fully reversible once temperatures rise. The material itself does not permanently crack, weaken, or degrade as a result of normal cold-weather exposure.
Our new RainWatch Filter is proudly made in Australia from high-quality impact acrylic materials and is fully backed by our own 5-year no-nonsense guarantee as well as Australian consumer guarantees. View the RainWatch Rain Water Tank Filter guarantee here.
Can I attach RainWatch filtered water to my household utilities?
Yes, provided the installation is in accordance with all local bylaws and conducted by a qualified plumber/authorised installer in accordance with current legislation.
How often should the 316 Stainless Steel filter screen be replaced?
The high quality 316 stainless steel filter screen should last for the life of your RainWatch Filter, however, the life of your filter screen will depend on the pollution in your area and how hard your RainWatch Filter works to keep your rainwater clean. Given a quick 20-minute clean if your filters screen becomes blocked with contaminates the filters screen can be hand washed in warm water with a mild detergent to remove any excess dirt or grime. While replacement parts including the 316 stainless steel filter screen can be ordered from Doust Plumbing Products.
How often should the stainless steel filter screen be washed?
Doust Plumbing Products recommends you clean your stainless steel filter screen every 3-6 months or after 40 – 70mm of rain depending on the level of exposure your filter is to contaminants. In some areas, your RainWatch Filter may deal with quite clean rainwater and therefore the RainWatch Filter will require less maintenance, while in others your RainWatch Filter will require additional maintenance depending on the types of contaminants in your area.
Will having the RainWatch Filter before the tank affect rainwater catchment efficiency?
Yes, as without a pre tank filter in all circumstances there is nothing to reduce the full flow of the rainwater. However, in our view, the RainWatch Filter will increase the catchment efficiency of all rainwater systems. Because it will provide uncontaminated rainwater and when fitted correctly with the required catchment area the RainWatch Filter can handle high flow rates.
The RainWatch Filter is designed to facilitate high flow rates estimates at 2,000 litres per hour. This means that even in the heaviest of rain falls the RainWatch Filter will capture the rainwater without too much overflow wastage.
Can RainWatch be used as part of a drinking-water system?
YES. In independent before-and-after laboratory testing, filtration reduced total coliforms in the tested rainwater sample by approximately 91%—from 540 to 46 MPN/100 mL. RainWatch can form part of a drinking-water system when combined with appropriate final filtration and sterilisation. RainWatch itself is a pre-tank filter, not a steriliser.
Note: With a RainWatch Filter installed, downstream filtration and water treatment systems will generally require significantly less maintenance, as they are processing cleaner, pre-filtered rainwater rather than untreated water containing debris and contaminants.