NSW Liberal Leader Peter Debnam today urged families stuck indoors because of the wet weather to take the opportunity consider buying a rainwater tank.

"Rainwater tanks are one way we can help ease Sydney's water crisis," Mr Debnam said.

"As the advertisement says 'every drop counts' and Sydneysiders have already saved millions of litres of water, but we can always do more," he said.

"If you don't have one already, use the time stuck indoors because of the wet weather to jump on the internet or head down to your local hardware and investigate getting a rainwater tank.

"As part of my plan to secure Sydney's water supply, I will double the Sydney Water rainwater tank rebate for tanks connected to a toilet or washing machine.

"In Government, I will:

• Double the overall Sydney Water rainwater tank rebate funding, taking the maximum rebate from $650 to $1,300, for tanks connected by a plumber to a toilet and/or washing machine;
• Assist local water utilities outside Sydney to provide a rebate for tanks connected by a plumber to a toilet and/or washing machine; and
• Extend the rainwater tank rebate scheme to last for at least the duration of our first term of Government - as opposed to Labor’s Sydney Water rebate scheme which expires in July 2008.

"My policy will encourage households in both city and country NSW to harvest their rainwater for use around the home without depleting our precious water supplies.

"It's especially important to consider a rainwater tank now as the Iemma-Costa Labor Government's failure over 12 years to plan for water shortages is exposed," Mr Debnam said.