Find Your
Water Tank Size

The average Australian uses approximately 120,000 litres of water per year—but that doesn’t mean each person in a household requires a 120,000-litre water tank. This figure is largely based on suburban usage, where significant water consumption goes toward irrigation and toilet flushing. In contrast, rural households typically use much less water.

According to Pioneer Water Tanks, the average rural home requires around 30,000 litres of water storage per person, per year. For properties relying solely on rainwater, a tank exceeding this capacity is generally sufficient. However, it’s important to consider local factors such as annual rainfall and catchment area, which will impact how much water can be harvested and stored effectively.

Poly water tanks typically max out at around 50,000 litres, which often isn’t sufficient for households with more than two people who rely entirely on rainwater and have no access to mains water.

Pioneer Water Tanks offers a wide range of steel tank sizes, starting from the compact GT10 model at 12,200 litres, right up to the GT500, which provides an impressive 500,000 litres of storage. For larger-scale or specialised needs—such as commercial or industrial water storage—custom solutions are also available and can be quoted to order.

While the required space will ultimately depend on the size of the tank selected, a good rule of thumb is to allow an area at least 3 metres wider than the tank’s diameter. This provides the necessary 1-metre clearance on all sides for the sand pad, helping to ensure a stable foundation and a smooth, hassle-free installation.

With a network of over 50 authorised dealers across Australia, Pioneer Water Tanks aims to make the delivery and installation process as efficient as possible. In most cases, tanks are delivered within 3 to 5 weeks of placing an order.

For urgent requirements or special circumstances, customers are encouraged to contact their local dealer—such as NSW Water Tanks—to explore options for expedited delivery and installation where possible.

Water tanks are listed by gross capacity as an industry standard, representing the total volume a tank can hold. All manufacturers follow this convention to define their size options. However, the usable or net capacity can vary depending on site-specific requirements and setup—factors such as fire reserves, sludge zones, scour drains, and gravity-fed outlet positioning all play a role in determining actual water availability.

Pioneer Water Tanks features an oversized ‘bell mouth’ internal outlet, allowing water levels to reach close to the top of the tank walls—maximising usable volume.

It’s important to note that the overflow outlet is not positioned at the topmost fill level. As illustrated in the diagram on this page, the top water level sits approximately 120mm below the tank wall, allowing the roof trusses to sit just above the waterline while still enabling high-volume storage.

Water harvesting and rainwater storage needs vary from property to property, depending on factors like annual rainfall, water usage, and roof catchment area. To meet a wide range of requirements, Pioneer Water Tanks offers a broad selection of standard tank sizes—from 12,000 litres up to 500,000 litres, with 110,000 litres being one of the most popular choices for rural households.

If you’re unsure about which size is right for your needs, contact NSW Water Tanks. Our experienced team can provide expert guidance tailored to your specific situation.

All Pioneer Water Tanks come equipped with a range of standard accessories, including the industry-leading AQUALINER Fresh® tank liner, a 150mm diameter tank overflow, and a galvanised ladder for safe access.

In addition to these standard inclusions, a variety of optional tank accessories are also available to further customise your water storage solution based on individual needs.