Rydalmere, NSW 2116 — Servicing all Sydney suburbs
Mon–Fri 7am–5pm · Sat 7am–12pm info@southernstarplumbing.com.au
Sustainability · Rainwater

Rainwater tanks designed, installed, plumbed in.

From a slim-line 2,000L tank for a terrace to a 10,000L round tank on a bush block — we size, supply, install and plumb in rainwater systems for Sydney homes, connecting to toilets, laundry and irrigation.

BASIX compliant Pump & diverter included Council paperwork handled

HomeServices › Rainwater tanks

Right-sized

We match tank capacity to your roof area, rainfall, and household use — so you’re not paying for volume you’ll never fill or use.

Complete install

Base, tank, pump, first-flush diverter, overflow, top-up switch and plumbing to toilets/laundry/irrigation — one team, one job.

BASIX & council ready

BASIX certificates for new builds/renos; council paperwork for larger tanks in heritage zones. We know what each Sydney council wants.

Rainwater tank install

What’s actually involved in a rainwater tank install

A good tank job is 30% plumbing and 70% planning. Where does the tank go? What roof area feeds it? Where does the overflow safely discharge? Will it connect to a toilet (common), laundry (better), or just garden (bare minimum)? We walk the property, measure the catchment, check your BASIX report if you’re in a reno, and hand you a fixed-price quote with a line-by-line inclusion list.

  • Site survey & tank sizing for your roof area & goals
  • Tank supply (slim-line, round, underground as needed)
  • Concrete or sand pad & levelling
  • Pump (pressure-controlled) & auto mains top-up
  • First-flush diverter & leaf guards
  • Plumb-in to toilets, laundry cold tap, outdoor taps or irrigation
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New Sydney home with rainwater tank

BASIX, rebates & what it means for new Sydney homes

BASIX is the NSW rule that every new home and major reno must meet water and energy targets. A properly-sized, properly plumbed-in rainwater tank is the easiest way to pick up water credits — but only if it’s plumbed into toilets and the laundry, not just the garden tap. We’ll work to your BASIX certificate and leave you the commissioning documentation.

  • BASIX commitments met & documented
  • Council DA conditions satisfied (heritage areas)
  • Pump sized for adequate pressure in the toilet/laundry line
  • Future-proofed for expansion (extra tank or greywater)
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2–25kL
Tank sizes routinely installed
BASIX
Certificates met & commissioning supplied
In-house
Pump & electrical coordination
10 yr
Tank warranty on premium brands we fit
FAQs

Common questions about rainwater tanks

If you can’t see your question here, call us — we’re happy to talk it through.

What size tank do I need?
For a typical 4-bedroom Sydney home (roof ~180m², 4 residents) connecting to toilets and laundry, 5,000–7,500L hits the sweet spot of running full most of the year without being wildly oversized. On a 2-bedroom terrace with a tiny roof, a 2,000L slim-line is often ideal.
Does my tank need council approval?
Most domestic tanks under 10kL are exempt development and don’t need council approval — but heritage zones, bushfire zones and larger tanks may need a CDC or DA. We’ll check your property’s zoning before quoting.
Do I need a pump?
Gravity-only tanks (tank to garden tap, by hose) work without a pump. For toilets, laundry or decent-pressure outdoor taps, yes — a pressure-controlled pump is essential. We use Davey and Onga pumps almost exclusively.
What’s a first-flush diverter and do I need one?
It sends the first 20–50L off each roof wash — the dust, bird droppings and leaves — to the drain instead of into the tank. Yes, you want one. They’re cheap insurance against dirty water inside your tank.
Can you install an underground tank?
Yes, though they’re significantly more expensive than above-ground. Typical use case is small inner-city blocks with no side-of-house space — we excavate, install, and connect.
How long does a full install take?
A typical above-ground tank supplied, plumbed to toilet and laundry, pump fitted, commissioned, is one day for a simple job and two for anything complex (pathway cuts, two-pump systems, underground).
Further reading

From our blog

Ready for a straight answer on your rainwater tanks job?

Call us on 0432 304 609 or send through a quick note — we service every suburb of Sydney from our Rydalmere base.