Drinking Water Rainwater Tanks
Last modified: September 1, 2009 - 12:57 AM
If you use rainwater for drinking or other domestic purposes guidelines are available to maintain water quality.
Rainwater tanks can be installed in most locations, rural and residential. Refer to DCP 28 Exempt and Complying Development or contact Council's Planning and Building Section on 02 6591 7222 for further information. If you operate a business which uses rainwater for food preparation or drinking water for the public there are maintenance and testing requirements that should be complied with. In most areas of Australia, the risk of illness arising from rainwater consumption is relatively low, providing it is visually clear, has little taste or smell and, importantly, the storage and collection of rainwater is via a well maintained tank and roof catchment system. The main sources of taste and odour are:
- dead animals
- sediment and/or slim in the tank or pipework
- soil and decaying vegetation accumulated in guttering
- algal growth in pipework or open tanks
- pollen
Potential hazards and health risks may include:
- animal droppings
- dead animals and insects
- mosquitoes (tank may be a breeding site)
- industrial or urban traffic emmissions
- pesticides from agricultural use
- smoke, ash, retardants and debris from bushfires
- slow-combustion heaters
- roof materials (lead, treated timber, asbestos, paints)
- accumulated sediments
- dangerous plants
For further information regarding the use of rainwater tanks see:-
Fact Sheet Rainwater Tanks
Guidance on the use of Rainwater Tanks - ENHEALTH
Contact details
Environmental Health Officer
02 6591 7222 (ph)
02 6591 7200 (fax)
council@greatlakes.nsw.gov.au
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