WaterAccessories

Yes. Any lid, seal or fitting in contact with drinking water should carry WRAS approval to prevent contamination and comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations. Non-WRAS lids are fine for non-potable stores such as rainwater harvesting or irrigation tanks, but shouldn't be used on wholesome water systems.

Tank connectors are sized to match the bore of your inlet or outlet pipework, typically from ½" up to 4" BSP, and should be matched to the tank wall thickness to seat correctly. Always check whether you need a straight, tank-to-hose, or bulkhead-style connector, as fitting the wrong type can strain the tank wall or cause weeping joints. If in doubt, measure the existing pipe diameter rather than the hole in the tank.

An overflow kit fitted above the normal working water level, combined with a float valve to shut off supply, is the standard way to prevent overfilling. The overflow pipe should discharge safely to a drain, soakaway or visible outlet away from building foundations, in line with Building Regulations Part H for surface water disposal. Never let an overflow discharge directly onto a path or wall where it could cause damp or ice hazards.

Rainwater harvesting systems generally need a coarse leaf/debris filter at the inlet followed by a fine sediment filter before use, since roof run-off carries more particulate than mains water. Mains-fed potable tanks usually only need a basic in-line sediment filter to catch scale or debris from the supply pipe. If you're using stored water for anything beyond irrigation or WCs, consider a multi-stage filter with UV as an added safeguard.

Pump selection depends on the flow rate you need (litres per minute) and the total head — the vertical lift plus friction losses from pipe length and fittings. For domestic booster or garden use, a smaller single-phase pump is usually sufficient, while larger sewage treatment or irrigation setups may need a submersible or three-phase unit. Check the pump curve against your required flow and head rather than just matching tank size.

Yes, particularly on underground or hard-to-access tanks where a slow leak can go unnoticed for months and lead to costly ground saturation or unexplained water bills. Modern leak detection systems use sensors or flow monitoring to alert you to unusual usage patterns or drops in level. They're a sensible addition for rainwater harvesting systems and larger commercial storage tanks where visual checks aren't practical.