Rainfall and Water Tanks

Water Tanks Our rainfall is an average of 300 mms (10 inches) a year, but it is very erratic, as shown by the chart below. We rely on water pumped from the irrigation channel into our supply of tanks. The taller tank, on the stand, gives us water pressure for our shower. Windmills were in use before electricity was connected to this area in 1951. They were easily damaged by severe winds, only worked in moderate breezes, and the clack (usually a leather seal in the lifting section) must be kept moist. The windmill is, in 1998, no longer a working model, being replaced by an electric pump that cost about 10% of the windmill price, is easier to prime, and is also low maintenance. In both cases, water needs to fill the inlet pipe before the mill or pump is started, so that the vacuum lift work of the pump can function. Water is lifted from the channel into the tanks.

Click the photograph to return, or use the name to my Sultana Page.

Rainfall per quarter and year, 1974 to 1998 January - March Orange, April - June Blue, July - September Green, October - December Yellow. Each colour contains the total rainfall for that quarter.. 1974Total = 527 mm 1975Total = 404 mm 1976Total = 288 mm 1977Total = 202 mm 1978Total = 332 mm 1979Total = 303 mm 1980Total = 273 mm 1981Total = 308 mm 1982Total = 122 mm 1983Total = 279 mm 1984Total = 297 mm 1985Total = 264 mm 1986Total = 293 mm 1987Total = 263 mm 1988Total = 301 mm 1989Total = 358 mm 1990Total = 245 mm 1991Total = 325 mm 1992Total = 496 mm 1993Total = 386 mm 1994Total = 162 mm 1995Total = 303 mm 1996Total = 256 mm 1997Total = 216 mm 1998Total = 163 mm ScaleScale in units of 100 mm

Return to my Sultana Page.