Envireau Rainwater Harvesting FAQs
Do the tanks need to be installed in concrete?
Yes. Top
Is this system for grey water?
No, only for rain water collected from roof area’s. Top
Can the system take surface water (patios, driveways etc)?
No, only for rain water collected from roof area’s. You must ensure that all rain water downpipes from the roof guttering are sealed to the drainage feeding the tank.
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Can the tank go into a driveway?
Yes, subject to the appropriate backfill and a concrete slab over the tank area, supported from the undisturbed ground surrounding the tank. This would need to be designed by a structural engineer and in all cases, the pedestrian duty access cover would be unsuitable. Top
Is the water potable/suitable for drinking?
No, it is accepted that the collected water meets the standard required for ‘Bathing Quality’. Top
Can the water be used for cattle/horse drinking water?
Yes.
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Can the system be connected to an irrigation system?
Yes, consideration must be made as to the length of pipe and size used. Top
What distance can it pump?
This depends on the total lift being applied to the pump, please refer to the pump application table.
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What maintenance does the system require?
These are designed to be very low maintenance and once set up and in service require typically filters to be cleaned both within the storage tank and inline immediately below the control panel. The ‘slow’ blow fuse will need replacement as constant pump operation wears these also. An annually system inspection and operational test should be completed and the water storage tank inspected and tankering arranged if there is an excessive build up of silt within.
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Is the cover & frame provided vehicle duty?
No, pedestrian duty only.
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What is the difference between gravity/no mains/direct installation?
Gravity systems have a header tank into which the recycled water is delivered. The mains water top up is also delivered to the header tank via a solenoid valve which is powered closed and therefore fails into the open position in the vent of a power failure.
No Mains has only the recycled water available and no mains water top up facility.
Direct systems have no header tank and instead feed direct to a pipe system, generally feeding outside taps, toilets etc. As there is no header tank, mains water top up is to the water storage tank via a tundish fitting and a solenoid valve that is powered open. This therefore fails closed and does not allow for water wastage in the event of a power failure. Also, in the event of a power failure, the system does not have backup.
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Do I need to mark the pipes to denote that it is a rainwater pipe?
Yes, a marking tape is provided, this is to ensure that collected rain water is not mistaken for potable water.
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Do you provide the header tank?
Header tanks are available as an optional extra on all Envireau models. Top
The installation instructions say that the depth sensor comes with 6 core cable but the cable I have is only 4 core- have I got the wrong product?
The current depth sensor has a 4 core cable. This is a direct replacement for it’s predecessor with the Red, Yellow and Blue cables matching the coding on the control panel. The green cable connects to the black connector and T1 and T2 connections on the control panel are left un-used.
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Can the control panel be put outside or in an inspection chamber?
These panels are designed for installation within the property as whilst they are based on an IP65 enclosure, the panel has holes cut into it that reduce the IP rating. The electronics mounted on the PCB are sensitive and the panel should be mounted in an accessible and dry location. Top
Can the water be used for bathing?
The water, once filtered through the filters supplied, meets the standard of 'bathing quality'. Top
Does the system have mains top up?
Both the gravity and direct systems have a mains top up, the gravity system has a top-up to the header tank whilst the direct system has a top up to the storage tank below ground via a Tundish Valve and the inlet pipework.Top
What is the tundish for and do I have to use it??
The Tundish is a pipe fitting that is fitted to the mains top-up pipe at the point where the mains water connects to the drainage of the water storage tank. It provides an air gap, as required to ensure that there is no risk of contamination of the mains water by a direct connection. The air gap is essential but it is not necessary to us the tundish to provide this and Building control will often sign off a simple top up pipe inserted, but not touching a larger diameter standpipe. Top
What will the client use the water for?
Generally used for flushing toilets, washing machines, washing cars and watering gardens.
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