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Assessing your water tank in bushfire affected areas

Page contents: Tank does not need cleaning | Tank may need cleaning | How to obtain water for your tank | Further information | Download document

Tank does not need cleaning

If your tank water looks, tastes and smells like it always does, it is unlikely your water has been contaminated from the bushfire. Your tank does not need cleaning.

Tank may need cleaning

If your tank water looks, tastes and smells strange or not like it usually does your water may be contaminated from the bushfire. Your tank may need cleaning before you refill it. Contact your council for advice on local tank cleaning contractors (recommended) or you can clean it your self if it is safe to do so.

How to obtain water for your tank

If you need water contact your local council to see what arrangements are in place for your area for obtaining water. Council may refer you to a water carter for you to arrange delivery. You may have to pay for transport. To assist, you may be eligible for the Household Repairs Payment. Call 1800 180 213.

Further information

Other sheets relating to bushfires and public health include:

• Hazards on your property after a bushfire
• Bushfires - Using alternative fuel and electricity generation safely
• Bushfire smoke & your health
• Fire retardants and health
• Water tanks & bushfires
• Food safety
• Heat stress - preventing heat-related illness
• Air quality in bushfire-affected areas
• Please be safe when returning to your property
• Using protective kits in bushfire affected areas
• Cleaning up a smoke affected home
• Ash from CCA-treated Timber

The brochure Your Private Drinking Water Supply provides information that can help you keep your supply of
drinking water safe and healthy, including advice about how to disinfect with chlorine.

General advice for water carters is available on the Food Safety website.

For further health information about the quality of your rain water tank after a fire, contact the Environmental
Health Unit, Department of Human Services on 1300 761 874

For further advice on disposal of dead birds and other small animals, contact your local council.

For information on assistance is available through the Victorian Bushfire Appeal fund website.

Download documents

Assessing your water tank in bushfire affected areas (557kb, pdf)

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