Keeping tanks clean reduces disease risk from roof water - 19 Jan 2007
19 January 2007
Keeping tanks clean is important to avoid the threat of disease from roof water says the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS).
Dr Denise Barnfather, Public Health Medicine Specialist at ARPHS, says now could be a good time to consider having a water tank cleaned as water levels will be lower than in winter.
“Tanks ideally should be inspected annually and cleaned if necessary and we do recommend using a
professional tank cleaning company,
” she says. “There are also other ways to keep roof collected
rainwater safe such as installing a gutter mesh to prevent leaves and debris from blocking gutters.
”
Dr Barnfather says that it is possible to disinfect roof collected water rather than emptying the tank particularly if the quality and safety of drinking water is unknown.
Contamination of a tank water supply may be caused by such things as animal or human faeces, bird or other animal droppings, sewage, or leaves and other debris entering the tank.
Water contamination can cause illness (diarrhoea and vomiting) which can be dangerous particularly for infants, the elderly or people with damaged immune systems.
Results of a recent five-year survey from Massey University finds many roof tanks contain seriously contaminated water.
An information brochure produced by the Ministry of Health is available through the Auckland Regional Public Health Service Resource Centres and technical advice and information on safety, maintenance and treatment options for roof water collection systems for the public in the Auckland region is available from the Drinking Water Assessment Unit (DWAU) Auckland – both available by phoning (09) 623 4600.
For further information contact: Dr Denise Barnfather on (09) 623 4600
