Question 1

What is rainwater testing?

Accepted Answer

Rainwater testing is laboratory analysis of a water sample taken from your rainwater tank or the tap it feeds. A lab measures indicators you cannot see or taste — bacterial indicators, acidity, minerals, salts and metals — and reports them against the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines so you can see how your tank water is actually performing.

Question 2

What does the AWARE Tank 360 include?

Accepted Answer

The AWARE Tank 360 is our most comprehensive rainwater tank package. It covers E. coli and Coliforms, pH, TDS, conductivity, turbidity, temperature, alkalinity, total and calcium hardness, calcium and magnesium, chloride, nitrate, ammonia, phosphate and sulphate, plus iron and copper. Every result arrives with a plain-English summary and practical recommendations.

Question 3

When should I consider testing my rainwater tank?

Accepted Answer

Testing is useful when you want to understand what is happening in your tank water, or when there is a specific concern. Common triggers include moving into a property on tank water, buying or selling a rural property, a change in taste, odour, colour or staining, suspected contamination of the roof catchment or tank, a long gap since the tank was last inspected or cleaned, and changes to plumbing, filtration or treatment equipment. Australian guidance does not require routine testing of every domestic tank, so we would rather help you test for a reason than test for the sake of it.

Question 4

Can you test rainwater for E. coli?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every AWARE package includes E. coli and Coliforms as presence/absence results. E. coli indicates recent faecal contamination — often bird or animal droppings entering via the roof or an unscreened inlet — and any detection is reported as not meeting the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, with the practical steps to address it.

Question 5

How do I know if my rainwater is suitable for drinking?

Accepted Answer

You cannot tell from appearance alone — clear, good-tasting tank water can still carry bacterial indicators. A laboratory test tells you how your sample compares against the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines on the day it was collected. That result, read together with your tank condition, catchment, plumbing and any treatment equipment, is what tells you whether your supply is suitable for drinking or needs work.

Question 6

Does rainwater testing check for heavy metals?

Accepted Answer

The AWARE Tank 360 includes iron and copper, the metals most commonly picked up from roofing, flashing, fittings and plumbing on a rainwater system. If you need targeted analysis of other metals such as lead or zinc, contact us — we can advise on extended panels for your situation.

Question 7

How do I collect a rainwater sample correctly?

Accepted Answer

Use the sterile bottles supplied in your kit, collect from the tap the household actually drinks from, do not rinse the bottle or touch the inside of the lid, fill to the marked line and keep the sample cool. Then post it back or drop it in. Full step-by-step instructions come with your booking confirmation and in the kit.

Question 8

Can I send a rainwater sample from anywhere in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Mail-out sample kits are available Australia-wide — your kit arrives by post with the bottles, instructions and return packaging. Local drop-off is also available at our Noosaville laboratory (Unit 1/37 Gateway Drive) during business hours if you are nearby.

Question 9

What is the difference between AWARE 4-Point and AWARE Tank 360?

Accepted Answer

The AWARE 4-Point is an entry-level screen — E. coli, Coliforms, pH and conductivity — for a quick answer on a private supply. The AWARE Tank 360 is the comprehensive rainwater option: it adds turbidity, hardness, alkalinity, minerals, salts and metals, so you can see system-level issues such as corrosion, sediment, staining and mineral imbalance rather than bacteria alone.

Question 10

Can I drop my sample off in person?

Accepted Answer

Yes — our Noosaville laboratory accepts sample drop-offs during business hours. Your booking confirmation includes the address, drop-off hours and sampling instructions.

Who this test is for

What we analyse

Microbiological

Chemical Parameters

Cations — Soluble

Anions — Soluble

Metals

When is rainwater testing worth considering?

What can affect rainwater quality?

About the AWARE Tank 360

Ready to test your water?

AWARE Tank 360 — Comprehensive Rainwater Testing