The benefits of installing a diverter for your tank

Polyethylene water tanks are a popular investment for many savvy Australians, and their prevalence means there is a wide range of accessories available that can complement them. These accessories can help owners make the most of their tanks and get years of reliable use.

One of the most common water tank add-ons is the first flush diverter, which can latch discreetly onto your piping system. Cost-effective and simple to install and maintain, the humble first flush diverter can vastly improve the quality and safety of your tank water.

So what exactly does a diverter do?

Firstly, it pays to understand what is meant by the term 'first flush'. When rain falls in your area and hence onto the rainwater catchment system on your roof, the first batch of water to enter the piping system usually contains dirt and other sediments.

Having this first flush of water entering your tank system is undesirable, so a diverter draws this water into a separate chamber. Once this chamber is filled, it seals itself off and the rest of the rainwater – which should be free of contaminants by now – can carry on through the piping and enter your tank.

Once it stops raining, the chamber then empties – readying itself for the next rainfall activity.

This way, you can rest assured that every time it rains, the initial stream of dirty rainwater from your roof is diverted away before allowing the rest of the rain to make its way into your tank.

What's more, first flush diverters are almost completely automated and require very little input to work – they divert the water themselves and get rid of the dirty water on their own. They do require the odd bit of maintenance to keep in good condition and ensure dirt doesn't build up, but the effort is minimal compared to the gains in water quality you receive.

By David Francis