Darren Schmutter with his underground rainwater storage system.
By Melissa Meehan
A NARRE Warren man has come up with a solution to the problem of placing big water tanks in small suburban backyards.
Darren Schmutter said while the need for water tanks and water saving had been a prominent issue in Victoria in recent years, lifestyle choices to minimise water wastage would continue throughout the future.
A horticulturist and landscape gardener by trade, Mr Schmutter said he had been busy installing water tanks in houses across the region, but said it was difficult to install bigger tanks in suburban areas.
“Installing the water tanks wasn’t too bad on bigger properties, but it’s difficult to get bigger tanks in suburban backyards. These days people don’t have big backyards,” Mr Schmutter said.
He took it upon himself to find a solution that would allow suburban backyards to collect rainwater without having the water tank take up three-quarters of the yard.
He said the system, aptly named Tankless, could be installed in front yards, back yards, driveways and courtyards.
“I designed an underground rainwater storage system that allows any property to collect rainwater, even if they don’t have a large backyard,” Mr Schmutter said.
The design of the underground rainwater storage system uses no above ground space, and collects rainwater from the roof, soil seepage and surface run-off and drains, and is then connected to household water systems.
Mr Schmutter and his wife Tracie recently applied for the government’s round 5 Smart Water Funding initiative to introduce their system in schools and kindergartens, council grounds, grass playing fields, public parks, and sporting and recreational grounds.
“We think that it’s a viable option for all water savers,” Mr Schmutter said.
There are similarities to conventional water tanks, but it allows people to maximise the space they have.
“It makes water saving out of sight, out of mind.”
Victoria is now experiencing its 10th year of drought.
City of Casey mayor Colin Butler said residents are also feeling the effects of the drought.
“The drought continues to create serious difficulties for landholders in the City of Casey area,” he said.
The Victorian Department of Primary Industry reports that drought is common in Australia, and describes it as a natural part of the country’s highly variable climate.
It reports that even when this cycle of drought ends, Victoria is projected to get drier, have more hot days and more storms all as a result of climate change.
For further information about Tankless visit www.tankless.com.au.
