Finding the best water tank installation in Nelson comes down to who will size the tank properly, site it where it works and connect it so it fills from the first decent rain. Water tank installation in Nelson covers domestic rainwater tanks, rural and lifestyle block storage, retention and detention tanks, pumps, first flush diverters and filtration, across the city and out through Richmond and the wider Tasman region. Think Water Nelson runs a water management showroom on St Vincent Street, while Chethams & Co Drainlaying works out of a yard in Richmond with its own diggers.
1Think Water Nelson
Think Water Nelson is a locally owned and operated member of the national Think Water group, working from a showroom at 34 St Vincent Street. The team installs water tanks and rainwater harvesting systems for residential, agricultural and industrial properties, alongside irrigation, pumping, filtration and water treatment. With a qualified plumber on staff, it suits anyone who wants the tank, the pump and the filtration handled by one supplier.
Services
- Water tank and rain harvesting installation for residential, agricultural and industrial sites
- Pump system design, supply, installation and servicing, including solar powered pump systems
- Filtration and water treatment, from under bench and bench top units to whole house and ultra violet systems
- Irrigation and reticulation system design, installation and maintenance
- Plumbing and drainage work, covering installation, repairs and maintenance
Highlights
- Showroom at 34 St Vincent Street in Nelson, open Monday to Friday
- Locally owned and operated, and an active member of the national Think Water group
- Accredited to work for local businesses and councils
- Works with licensed plumbers, electricians and plant operators when additional trades are required
- Authorised Husqvarna dealer, with outdoor power equipment servicing available in store
Location & Contact
Name: Think Water Nelson
Address: 34 St Vincent Street, Nelson
Phone: 03 528 8888
Website: thinkwater.co.nz/nelson
2Chethams & Co Drainlaying
Chethams & Co Drainlaying is a Richmond based team of drainlayers who have worked in the Nelson Tasman region for over 20 years, rebranded from Terry Westley Drainlayers after a change of ownership. Water tanks sit inside their drainage work, so they supply and install above ground or below ground tanks, retention and detention tanks and rainwater harvesting set-ups, then dig and connect the pipework with their own machines. Rural and lifestyle properties, new builds and commercial subdivisions are all regular work for them.
Services
- Supply and installation of above ground and below ground water tanks
- Rainwater harvesting set-ups for irrigation, drinking water and firefighting supply
- Retention and detention tanks, first flush diverters, sump pumps and water monitoring systems
- Sewer and stormwater drainage for residential, rural and commercial properties
- Excavation and earthworks using a fleet of Kobelco diggers from 0.8 to 3.5 tonnes
Highlights
- Team of six certified, licensed and apprentice drainlayers, all members of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board
- Over 20 years working in the Nelson Tasman region, with more than 60 years of combined trade experience
- Staff specialise solely in the drainlaying trade
- Yard at 3 Fittal Street in Richmond, with visitors by appointment
- Coverage extends beyond Nelson Tasman to the Marlborough Sounds
Location & Contact
Name: Chethams & Co Drainlaying
Address: 3 Fittal Street, Richmond
Phone: 027 496 9902
Website: chethamsandco.nz
3Seeka Plumbing
Seeka Plumbing is a privately owned and operated plumbing company serving Nelson, Stoke, Richmond, Motueka and the wider Tasman region, with more than two decades of experience. Rainwater harvesting and tank installations sit within its new build and rural work, alongside water filtration, irrigation and livestock water supply for lifestyle blocks and off grid properties. It is a practical choice when the tank is part of a larger plumbing job rather than a standalone install.
Services
- Rainwater harvesting and tank installations
- Water tanks, irrigation, livestock water supply and off grid solutions for rural and lifestyle block properties
- Water filtration systems for the whole home
- New build and renovation plumbing, including kitchen, bathroom and laundry fit outs
- Hot water cylinder installation and replacement, including solar, wetback and heat pump options
Highlights
- More than 20 years of new build plumbing experience across Nelson and Tasman
- Fully licensed, qualified and registered plumbers
- Handles liaison with Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council, pressure testing and code compliance certification
- Weekday hours of 8am to 5pm, with weekend and after hours emergency cover available
Location & Contact
Name: Seeka Plumbing
Address: Nelson
Phone: 021 023 58720
Website: seekaplumbing.co.nz
4Clyne & Bennie Nelson Tasman
Clyne & Bennie are Master Plumbers who have traded since 1955, and they design and install rainwater harvesting systems for residential properties across Canterbury and the Nelson Tasman region. The service covers tank sizing, gutter connections, first flush diverters and leaf guards, integrated with the existing plumbing and built to local council rules. Nelson and Tasman work is delivered through joint venture partner CBNT Ltd, which has its own local phone line.
Services
- Rainwater tank installation
- Rain capture and diversion systems
- First flush diverter and leaf guard fitting
- Rainwater reuse system design, including tank sizing and gutter connections
- Stormwater retention tanks and water pump supply
Highlights
- Master Plumbers, trading since 1955
- Systems integrated with existing plumbing and built to comply with local council regulations
- Nelson and Tasman work delivered by joint venture partner CBNT Ltd trading as Clyne & Bennie Nelson Tasman
- Booking line answered 24 hours a day for the Nelson and Tasman area
Location & Contact
Name: Clyne & Bennie Nelson Tasman
Address: Nelson
Phone: 03 547 0002
Website: clyne-bennie.co.nz
Water Tank Installation in Nelson at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Think Water Nelson | Showroom at 34 St Vincent Street in Nelson, open Monday to Friday |
| Chethams & Co Drainlaying | Team of six certified, licensed and apprentice drainlayers |
| Seeka Plumbing | More than 20 years of new build plumbing experience across Nelson and... |
| Clyne & Bennie Nelson Tasman | Master Plumbers, trading since 1955 |
How to Choose the Right Water Tank Installation in Nelson
- Check who does the whole job. Tank supply, base preparation, downpipe connection and any pump or filtration are all part of a finished install, and a delivery on its own leaves you to arrange the rest.
- Talk through the site work on your own section, including levelling, siting pads, tank restraint and whether a truck or digger can get in.
- Match the tank material and size to the use. Polyethylene, concrete and slimline tanks all suit different sections, and a garden supply needs far less storage than an emergency or firefighting reserve.
- Confirm who holds the trade tickets, because anything plumbed into the house needs a registered plumber or drainlayer.
- Ask about council requirements before you commit, particularly for underground tanks, tanks on a raised stand, or rainwater plumbed to the toilet and laundry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nelson Water Tank Installation
What does water tank installation in Nelson usually involve?
A typical install starts with a site visit to work out the tank size, where it will sit and which downpipe it will run from. The ground is levelled or a siting pad laid, the tank is delivered and positioned, the downpipe is cut and clamped into the tank, and a tap or pump is fitted. Extras such as leaf guards and first flush diverters are usually added at the same time so the water going in stays reasonably clean.
How much does a rainwater tank cost to supply and install?
Price depends on the tank size and material, and on how easy the site is. A level, stable spot close to an existing downpipe and within reach of a delivery truck is the cheapest scenario. Costs rise when ground has to be levelled, vegetation cleared, extra downpipe run, brittle spouting replaced, the tank restrained, or the installer has to travel well beyond Nelson and Richmond. Quotes are commonly free and site specific, so it is worth getting more than one.
Do I need a building consent for a water tank in Nelson?
Often not. A typical tank collecting rainwater for outdoor use such as garden watering or emergency supply generally falls under the exemptions in Schedule 1 of the Building Act. Consent becomes more likely once the tank is plumbed into the house for toilet or laundry use, or raised on a platform, and resource consent rules for your area can still apply. The guidance on collecting and using rainwater is a sensible starting point, and Nelson City Council publishes local rainwater harvesting information.
Can I drink the water from a rainwater tank?
Not without treating it first. Roof runoff picks up dust, pollen and bird droppings, so a tank intended as an emergency drinking supply needs filtration, sterilising treatment or both, along with tank materials suitable for contact with drinking water. Leaf guards and a first flush diverter cut down what goes in, and installers can advise on treatment options for household use.
How do I check an installer is properly registered?
Anything connected to the house plumbing or the drainage system must be done by a registered tradesperson. You can look up a plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer on the public register held by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. For a tank that only fills from a downpipe and feeds a garden tap, registration matters less, but it still pays to ask who is doing the work.
Which parts of Nelson and Tasman do water tank installers cover?
Installers based in the city normally cover Nelson itself along with Atawhai, Stoke and Richmond, and many carry on to Wakefield, Mapua, Upper Moutere and Motueka. Some drainage firms also travel to the Marlborough Sounds. If you are further out, ask about travel charges early, because distance from the depot is one of the more common add-ons to a quote.
What size water tank should I get?
For garden watering, car washing and general outdoor use, a tank of roughly 400 to 2000 litres is usually enough, and extra tanks can be added later. For an emergency supply, Civil Defence suggests a minimum of three litres of drinking water per person per day, with considerably more needed once cooking and washing are included. A tank connected to the roof guttering refills every time it rains, so local rainfall and roof area matter as much as household size.
How long does an installation take?
Scoping the job on site usually takes about an hour, because tank placement, downpipe choice and ground conditions all need working through. The installation itself is commonly a few hours for a straightforward domestic tank, depending on size and access. Larger rural tanks, underground tanks and anything needing excavation take longer and are often scheduled alongside other drainage work.
How We Chose the Best Water Tank Installation in Nelson
Every business in this guide was found by searching for water tank installation in Nelson, then checked against what the business publishes itself: its own website, or where it has none, its official social or booking page. Names, addresses and phone numbers come from those pages rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what the business says about itself. We also check that each one is still trading and is actually based in or genuinely serving Nelson, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business we can’t confirm from its own pages is not listed.