Key Recommendations from the Department of Health (Victoria)
For further information and detailed fact sheets, you can visit the Department of Health website
or contact the Environmental Health Unit through your local council.
- Do not drink the water or use it for preparing food if it tastes, looks, or smells unusual.
- Boiling the water will not remove chemical contaminants like ash, debris, or fire retardants.
- Disconnect downpipes from the tank to prevent further contamination from the roof catchment area..
- Clean the roof and gutters of all ash, debris, and any dead animals (using gloves) once it is safe to do so.
- Professionally clean the tank if it is contaminated, especially if fire retardants have entered the water.
- Caution working inside a tank is extremely dangerous due to confined space hazards.
- Water testing is usually unnecessary as contamination is typically obvious.
- However, if needed, you can contact a NATA accredited laboratory.
- Refill the tank with water from a known safe source, such as a licensed water carter, after cleaning.
For further information and detailed fact sheets, you can visit the Department of Health website
or contact the Environmental Health Unit through your local council.