Emergency Water Delivery – What To Do If Your Tank Runs Dry
Running out of tank water is stressful, but a few sensible steps can protect your pump and make the refill easier. Here’s what to do first, what to prepare for the water truck and how to avoid being caught out again.
Do not keep repeatedly restarting a pump that has lost water or prime. Follow the pump manufacturer’s instructions, and if you are unsure about your plumbing or pump setup, contact a plumber or pump technician.
Do these things first
The aim is simple: stop equipment from trying to draw water that is no longer there, reduce unnecessary water use and get the property ready for a refill.
Turn off the pump
If your rainwater system uses a pump and it is running without water, turn it off until the tank has been refilled and the system can be restarted correctly.
Check what is affected
Work out which taps, toilets, appliances, troughs or other services rely on the tank. Pause non-essential water use while you organise a delivery.
Arrange a refill
Check your tank size and access, then contact us for current water-cartage availability. Let us know if the tank is completely empty or if access has any special requirements.
Make the delivery straightforward
Good access matters almost as much as knowing how much water you need. A few minutes of preparation can make the delivery quicker and easier.
- Make sure gates are unlocked and the access route is clear.
- Keep cars, trailers and other obstacles away from the tank access area.
- Check that the tank inlet or fill point is accessible.
- Let us know about steep, soft or narrow access before the delivery.
- Secure pets and make sure children are clear of the truck working area.
- If you have more than one tank, tell us which tank or tanks need filling.
Completely empty is okay
A tank does not need to contain water before a cartage delivery can refill it. The important things are knowing the approximate tank capacity, deciding how much you want delivered and making sure the truck can safely access the fill point.
Delivery timing depends on current bookings, location and access, so contact us for the latest availability rather than waiting until the last litres are gone.
Choose the load that suits your tank
If the tank is empty, its rated capacity gives you a useful starting point. If there is still water in the tank, allow for what is already there rather than automatically ordering the full tank capacity.
We commonly talk customers through the difference between smaller and larger water deliveries. If you are unsure, our 5,000L vs 13,000L water delivery guide explains the trade-offs and helps you choose a sensible load.
Remember that a tank marked with a particular capacity may not be completely usable right to the bottom, and plumbing, outlets and tank shape can affect the amount of water actually available to the property.
Restart the system carefully
Once water is back in the tank, your household supply may not immediately return to normal. Some pumps need to be primed or restarted in a particular way after they have run dry.
Use the instructions for your pump and system rather than repeatedly switching it on and off. If the pump will not regain pressure, is making unusual noises or you are not confident restarting it, a plumber or pump technician is the safest next call.
Order before it becomes an emergency
Running out often happens because the remaining water is harder to judge than people expect. Regular checks make it much easier to book a delivery before the tank reaches empty.
Our water tank monitoring guide includes practical ways to estimate what is left and plan ahead.
More water-delivery guides
Arrange a water delivery
View our water-cartage service and contact us about current delivery availability.
How it worksWater cartage delivery guide
What to expect when ordering and receiving a water delivery.
Plan aheadMonitor your tank
Estimate your remaining water and reduce the chance of running dry again.
Emergency water delivery FAQs
Can a completely empty rainwater tank be filled?
Yes. An empty tank can be refilled by water cartage. Tell us the approximate tank capacity and any access details when arranging the delivery.
How quickly can water be delivered?
Availability varies with existing bookings, your location and site access. Contact us for the current schedule. If your tank is getting low, booking before it reaches empty gives you more options.
How much water should I order?
That depends on your tank capacity, how much water remains and how quickly your household or property uses it. Our 5,000L vs 13,000L guide can help you compare common delivery sizes.
Can you put water into more than one tank?
If the tanks and fill points are accessible, let us know what you need when arranging the delivery so the job can be planned appropriately.
Tank getting low? Don’t wait for the last tap to run dry.
Check your level, work out the load you need and contact the General Store about current water-cartage availability.