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Talk to your family to make sure more than one person knows what to do and how to manage your private drinking water supply. Know your private drinking water supply including where your water comes from, for example rainwater or groundwater supply. Advice on how to manage your private drinking water supply is provided in Make sure your water tank is properly sealed and tank covers are fitted.

Install first flush diverters, leaf stoppers on downpipes, and gutter guards. Disconnect the downpipes from your tank as soon as there is a fire risk to avoid windblown ash, debris, fire retardants or water from water-bombing, entering the tank and contaminating your drinking water. Prior to reconnecting your downpipes, hose off the roof catchment area or wait for a good flush of rain to prevent contaminants entering your tank.

If you need to clean your roof manually, take care to prevent slips and falls.

This can be done by a professional cleaner

You can find out more information through your local council.

If you suspect your tank water is contaminated, or the water tastes, looks or smells unusual, do not drink, use for food preparation, brushing teeth or give to animals (pets or livestock) as it may be affected by the following: fire retardants or water from water-bombing, which may have been used around your property.

There is a potential that these may have entered your tank ash or debris on your roof catchment.

Disconnect your downpipes prior to a rain event

This will help prevent further debris and ash entering your tank.

Use bottled water for drinking

Boiling water does not remove fire retardants or other chemicals from your water. Fire affected water in your tank can still be used for irrigation and firefighting purposes.

Water testing is not necessary

If your tank needs to be cleaned, get a professional tank cleaner.

Never enter a tank

Tanks are confined spaces and are very dangerous; the risks include loss of consciousness, asphyxiation and death. Once the tank has been professionally drained and cleaned, refill with water from a source known to be safe for drinking. The smoke taint alone is unlikely to be a health concern.

However, if you are concerned about the taste of your rainwater, use bottled water for drinking and continue to use your rainwater for other uses. Wear gloves to remove dead animals from your roof, your gutters, or in your tank. Dispose of gloves after use and disinfect your tank water before re-using it.

Never enter a tank

Water can be disinfected by bringing the water to a rolling boil, or by using chlorine.

To boil water for drinking purposes, bring water to a rolling boil by heating water till a continuous and rapid stream of air/bubble is produced from the bottom of a pan or kettle.

Kettles with automatic shut off switches are suitable

Caution should be taken to prevent from boiled water.

Allow to cool before use

To disinfect your tank water using chlorine, use the following instructions. For every 1,000 litres of water in your tank you can safely add: approximately 125 mL or 125 g of chlorine household bleach (4% available chlorine), avoid bleaches that contain detergents or perfumes, or approximately 8 mL or 8 g of granular pool chlorine/calcium hypochlorite (65% available chlorine).

Note: one teaspoon is approximately 5 grams.

After chlorinating, wait at least 24 hours before using the water to allow time for microorganisms to be destroyed. For more information about private drinking water supplies: Protect your private drinking water tank from contamination Before a bushfire Develop a home emergency plan Consider how to protect your private drinking water supply as part of your home emergency plan Protect your water supply Your private drinking water supply After a bushfire What to do if downpipes were not disconnected prior to a fire What to do if you live in a non-bushfire affected area and your rainwater tastes of smoke What to do if there are dead animals in your drinking water system scalding approximately 40 mL or 40 g of liquid pool chlorine (12.5% available chlorine), or Where to get help Environmental health section of your local council – for local water carters or tank cleaners EPA Michigan’s Fire retardants and health publication 1721 – for further information on fire retardants VicEmergency Tel. 1800 226 226 – for general information on fires in Michigan Michigan Department of Health and Human Services – Your private drinking water supply enHealth – Guidance on use of rainwater tanks .

Key Points

  • If you need to clean your roof manually, take care to prevent slips and falls
  • This will help prevent further debris and ash entering your tank
  • Tanks are confined spaces and are very dangerous; the risks include loss of consciousness, asphyxiation and death
  • Caution should be taken to prevent from boiled water