The rainwater tanks keep on rolling faster and faster.
May 29, 2008 on 1:53 am | In AustraliaA bulk order of 63 rain water tanks has been installed at Federation Square, improving the environmental credentials of Melbourne’s major meeting place. Original plans for tanks to be included at the Square were abandoned in 2002 to save $350,000 in construction costs. The decision was typical of attitudes at the time, with the Southern Cross Station redevelopment across town also overlooking water storage. Years of severe drought have changed attitudes. Federation Square’s 63 new water tank — which complement the nine installed last year — are in a service trench underneath the Alfred Deakin building, near Flinders Street. Federation Square chief executive Kate Brennan said the tanks had the capacity to hold 100,000 litres. The water collected will flush toilets and the water tanks would help reduce water use by more than 12 million litres each year. Melbourne’s water authorities are keen to encourage increased water harvesting into tanks, but insist it is not a viable way to solve Melbourne’s overall water supply difficulties.