Selling a Collie property with rainwater tanks or a private drinking-water supply

Many properties around Collie use rainwater tanks for gardens, fire-fighting reserves, sheds or household supply. A buyer comparing town, rural-residential and country properties will want more than a photograph of a tank: they need an accurate explanation of source, storage, plumbing, treatment and operating history.

HealthyWA says tanks are particularly important on rural properties where scheme drinking water is unavailable. It also explains that rainwater can be contaminated by animals, debris, nearby emissions, heavy traffic, roof materials or poor storage. A seller should therefore avoid describing untreated tank water as “pure” or “guaranteed safe”.

This article is general seller-preparation and marketing information, not public-health, plumbing, engineering, building, fire, legal or valuation advice. Water quality can change after testing. Use the Shire of Collie, a licensed plumber and qualified water-testing or tank-service providers for the individual property.

Document every source and use

Draw a water-system plan. Show each tank, nominal capacity, roof catchment, gutters, first-flush device, inlet screens, pump, filter, treatment unit, overflow and the outlets supplied. Mark whether water serves drinking taps, toilets, laundry, gardens, sheds, livestock or fire equipment.

Record any other source separately: scheme water, bore, dam, spring or delivered water. Do not combine the volumes or imply that a source is potable. If tanks can be topped up from another source, explain the plumbing arrangement and obtain professional advice about backflow protection and cross-connections.

Use manufacturer plates, invoices or measured dimensions for capacity. “About 100,000 litres” is not the same as verified usable storage, and total capacity is not the same as the volume available on inspection day. Note tanks that are disconnected, damaged, used only for fire response or excluded from the sale.

Public-health source: HealthyWA — Water tanks on your property, checked 5 October 2026.

Prepare a practical maintenance record

HealthyWA recommends managing the whole collection system, not only the tank. Build a dated record of roof and gutter cleaning, screen checks, first-flush maintenance, pump or filter service, tank inspection, desludging, disinfection and repairs. Include invoices and product details where available.

Check that the catchment does not include unsuitable materials or obvious contamination sources. Trim ordinary overhanging vegetation safely, repair broken screens and keep openings protected against animals and insects. Do not enter a tank: confined spaces and large-tank cleaning require competent professionals.

If a tank has been flooded or contaminated, HealthyWA advises not using the water for drinking, cooking, face washing or wound cleaning until remediation is complete. Its guidance covers emptying, specialist cleaning, sanitising, connected roof and pipework, and safe refilling. Give buyers the remediation record rather than a verbal assurance.

Contamination source: HealthyWA — Rainwater tank contamination, checked 5 October 2026.

Use local testing and approval evidence

The Shire of Collie says its Environmental Health service provides water-quality testing for premises relying on rainwater for drinking water on a cost-recovery basis. Ask what sampling method, bottles, parameters and fees currently apply before collecting a sample.

Keep the complete laboratory report, not only a screenshot saying “passed”. A result may relate to microbiological quality, selected chemicals or another limited set of parameters. If the report recommends action, complete the work and retain follow-up evidence.

Find planning and building records for the dwelling and significant tanks, stands, pumps or associated structures where applicable. The Shire explains that development approval deals with land use and works, while building approval is a separate process. Requirements depend on the structure, location and exemptions, so ask the Shire about the actual installation.

Local source: Shire of Collie — Public Health, checked 5 October 2026.

Explain seasonal performance without promising supply

A storage number alone does not prove that a household will have enough water. Catchment area, rainfall timing, first-flush losses, household size, garden use, leaks and operating habits all affect the result. Provide historical delivery invoices or meter records if available, but remove account and payment details.

Separate observation from prediction. “The seller has not purchased carted water during the past two winters” is a historical statement that may be supported by records; “the property will never run out” is not. A buyer should calculate their own needs and inspect the system.

If a tank forms part of bushfire preparation, label the reserve, fittings and access accurately. Do not describe it as compliant fire-fighting capacity without the relevant approved fire-management plan or professional confirmation. Link the water file to the Collie fire-hazard reduction seller guide.

Check pumps, treatment and backup arrangements

List the pump make, model, age if known, pressure equipment, filters, ultraviolet unit, dosing system and replacement schedule. Record the last service and keep manuals, receipts and warranties. Run ordinary taps during pre-sale preparation to identify pressure, noise or leakage issues, but use a plumber for diagnosis or repairs.

Explain what happens during a power outage. A gravity tank, generator connection or backup pump should only be described if it exists and has been verified. Where scheme and tank water both enter the property, obtain plumbing advice about isolation, labelling and backflow protection.

Replace expired filter cartridges and lamps according to manufacturer guidance, not simply to make the equipment look new. Give the buyer a clean handover note showing consumables, shut-off points and the service provider used.

Present tanks as working infrastructure

Clear rubbish and weeds around tanks while preserving safe access and required clearances. Repair obvious leaks, secure lids and photograph identifying labels. Do not paint over corrosion, hide a damaged base or stage stored chemicals beside a drinking-water system.

Photography should show the relationship between catchment, storage, pump and the home. A simple labelled plan can be more useful than a wide image. Captions should distinguish household supply, garden storage and fire reserve, and should state nominal capacity only when verified.

Southside Media can coordinate the visual sequence with the licensed agent so buyers see both the lifestyle and the verified operating system without unsupported health or supply claims.

Put Collie market statistics in context

REIWA's Collie profile was updated 2 October 2026 using transactions for the 12 months ending September 2026. It reported a median house sale price of $540,000 and a 20-day median selling time for houses.

Those are suburb statistics, not a valuation or a forecast for a private-water property. Buyers will assess the land, dwelling, approvals, water evidence and comparable sales. A licensed agent should price the individual property from relevant evidence.

Market source: REIWA Collie suburb profile, data updated 2 October 2026 and checked 5 October 2026.

Private-water seller checklist

• Map all tanks, catchments, pumps, treatment, overflows and outlets.
• Verify nominal capacities and identify disconnected or excluded assets.
• Separate drinking, household, garden, livestock and fire uses.
• Compile cleaning, service, delivery, repair and treatment records.
• Arrange suitable water testing and keep the full dated report.
• Check planning, building and plumbing records where applicable.
• Explain seasonal history without guaranteeing future supply.
• Prepare manuals, shut-off points and consumable schedules for handover.
• Use accurate photographs, plans, capacities and captions.