WATER CONSERVANCY

Notice 2017 No 37

ERECTION OF WATER CONSERVANCY TANKS IN SUMMERWOOD

Dear Member/s and Residents,

1. The Association’s Management Committee recognizes the fact there are a growing number of residents who either already have or who are contemplating the erection of water conservancy tanks on their property. In view of the water restrictions which are in place the Committee fully supports the initiative of residents to collect rainwater in this manner for an array of domestic and garden uses.
2. At their meeting on 22 November 2017 the Committee considered the issue of individual residents establishing the most effective sites for the placement of conservancy tanks around the house. The Trustees conceded that the positions available to place the tanks could in certain instances be limited. The process could be further inhibited due to certain sites not being the most effective in terms of the quantity of water delivery.
   In spite of this, however, the opinion prevailed that the overriding consideration should be that conservancy tanks should not be positioned in the front gardens where they are in full view of an adjoining roadway. A tank should not be positioned where it would create a negative impact upon the aesthetic appearance of the property to a passer-by.
3. The Trustees were aware that situations may arise where residents wishing to install a conservancy tank, could be confronted with the absence of siting options on the property which make it invisible to users of an adjoining roadway. The Committee acknowledged that Summerwood residences in many instances have boundary walls which, should an alternative site be used, could possibly largely minimize the view thereof from the roadway. The use of such sites under the circumstances were considered by the Trustees to be acceptable, provided that additional camouflage of the tank was provided, e.g. by painting it in the colour of the exterior of the house or by the use of plant or other suitable material.
4. The Committee requested that residents be made aware of the fact that should any doubt arise in regard to the acceptable siting of a water conservancy tank, the Village Manager be consulted prior to its final positioning.