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Rainwater tank checks urged after water scare

Westernport Water is urging owners of rainwater tanks to check their plumbing following a recent investigation.

By Susan Webster - 4th August 2008 - Back to News

Detective work by staff traced a potential health risk back to a rainwater tank at a Wimbledon Heights house.

Staff found the rainwater tank had been connected to the house plumbing and could potentially have allowed lower-quality water into the reticulated water supply.

The incident has sparked a new campaign by the water corporation.

Acting general manager Keith Gregory said: "If you have a rainwater tank or other unprotected water source plumbed into your household supply, please let us know. We will inspect and provide advice on how you can prevent potential contamination of the water supply system.

"In addition we will be contacting the people we know have a device to prevent backflow of unprotected water into the water system. By law, annual checks are needed to ensure that the back-flow devices are operating correctly. "

The annual checks could be organised by the owner, undertaken by a plumber and a certificate provided to Westernport Water.

Alternatively Westernport Water can organise and undertake the inspection at the owner’s cost.

Tanks not plumbed into household supply – such as those solely used to water gardens – are exempt.

Tanks feeding toilets, bathrooms and laundries will need to be checked.

Back-flow devices prevent tank water – which is usually untreated – from entering the reticulated system – which carries water treated to a high quality standard required by legislation.

Dean Chambers, Westernport Water’s Water Quality Officer explained: "We recognise householders’ have a right to choose rainwater over reticulated supply.

"But we also have a serious responsibility to deliver safe, potable water."

He detailed the recent discovery that has led to the new checks: "Our regular monitoring at customers’ taps detected a discrepancy and we immediately swung into action to trace the source. We discovered a household rainwater tank had been connected to the internal plumbing.

"We wholeheartedly support the use of rainwater tanks to help conserve our precious water resources," Dean said. "But we are bound by law to ensure safe, reticulated water to all customers.

"If your rainwater tank is plumbed into your household supply, you must ensure you are not potentially contaminating your neighbour’s water supply, even accidentally.

"A simple yearly check will help overcome that risk."

Want more information? Call freecall 1300 720 711.

Westernport Water is proposing to hold a forum for district plumbers to discuss the matter, and showcase the state-of-the-art CCTV and sewer equipment being used by the corporation. Call Paul Rodwell on 5956 4183 for more information.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: susanw@ptarmigan.com.au

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