Porirua was planned from the late 1940s as a satellite city built around state housing, with more than 2,700 state houses in Porirua East and Cannons Creek, post-war state homes at Tītahi Bay, the planned 1970s suburb of Whitby and seaside homes at Paremata and Papakōwhai. We handle all of it: placement and sizing, connecting to spouting and downpipes, pressure pumps, first-flush diverters, filtration and UV, and any mains top-up with the backflow protection it needs.
Porirua rainwater tanks: hillside overflows, tight sections and restriction-proof gardens
Porirua homes are on the Tiaki Wai network, and when restriction levels rise, sprinklers and irrigation are limited first. A tank gives you a separate source for the garden and outdoor cleaning so you are less dependent on the level of the day. Most Porirua homes are not metered, so the benefit is supply and resilience rather than a smaller bill. We size the tank to the roof area feeding it and to what you want to use the water for. Pumps, taps and a hose connection can be added so the stored water is easy to use.
The biggest local issue is where the overflow goes. Many Porirua sections are on hills, from Whitby above the Pāuatahanui Inlet to the slopes of Porirua East and Cannons Creek, and water discharged onto a bank is a known trigger for slips on Wellington hillsides. A tank overflow must run to the stormwater system, not spill down the section. On steep sites we often recommend slimline tanks that sit against the house on a narrow, level pad rather than cutting into a bank for a round one. We check the base is level and stable before the tank is filled.
Flat ground has its own checks. Near the Porirua Stream and the harbour, low areas can pond in heavy rain, and Porirua's District Plan responds to flooding and coastal hazards. We keep tanks out of ponding spots and on firm bases. Porirua City Council offers free advice on whether a project needs consent, which is worth using for larger tanks or anything connected to the house plumbing. Where a tank is plumbed into toilets or laundry with mains top-up, we fit backflow protection so tank water cannot enter the public supply. Insect-proof screens on inlets and overflows are part of every install.
Local tip: On a sloping Porirua section, ask us to connect the tank overflow to a stormwater pipe, because water dumped on a bank can start a slip.
For anything else, see our plumbers in Porirua.
Pricing: quotes are free, and every job gets a fixed price before we start, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
Water Tanks Jobs We Do in Porirua
- Rainwater tank installation
- Tank top-up valves
Water Tanks Porirua FAQs
Where should the overflow from my Whitby rainwater tank go?
Into the stormwater system. On hillside sections, letting the overflow spill onto a bank can saturate the ground and trigger a slip, so we pipe it to a proper stormwater connection.
Can I use tank water during water restrictions?
Tank water is your own supply, but check the current restriction level and how it applies to tank water with Tiaki Wai before you rely on it.
Do I need backflow protection with a mains top-up?
Yes. Any connection between a tank and the mains needs the right backflow device to protect the public supply.