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Giardia and Salmonella in rainwater tanks
0 Comments | Posted by WaterTactics in Water filtration, rainwater
Recently we have been called out to clean tanks with evidence of giardia and salmonella. While these two issues are quite different, they do highlight some very real problems which can occur when rainwater harvesting systems are not properly understood and maintained.
In both cases, it seems the source of the contamination was via birds or vermin on the catchment areas.
Salmonella is a bacteria (in this case most likely carried by rats) and can be treated with use of a food-grade anti-bacterial water sanitiser and water filtration treatment incorporating ultra-violet (UV) disinfection.
Giardia is a protozoan parasite. In initial stages, it is encased in an egg, the shell of which is resistant to penetration by anti-bacterial substances. Even UV light will not destroy it. Due to the size, it can bypass many typical water filtration systems and it is recommended that 0.5 to 1 micron filtration is required to trap the eggs and live cysts.
Water testing to positively identify the source of the contamination is costly. In the case of the salmonella, this occurred on a Council-owned property and a laboratory test was undertaken. In the case of giardia, there was enough evidence that the problem originated with the tank water and the owners decided to clean the tank and install the filter without testing – preferring to spend the money on the solution.
In both cases, tank water was used for drinking and several people became quite ill as a result.
If you do want to drink your tank water (we don’t recommend this if a mains water supply is available) a thorough tank maintenance routine is essential, as is an appropriate level of water treatment and/or filtration.
22
Hold onto your tanks…water charges on the rise!
0 Comments | Posted by Water Tactics in rainwater, water conservation, water usage
The Urban Water Security Report released by Infrastructure Australia last week (15/6/10) contains a strong message that all Australians will be paying significantly more for water in the near future.
The report highlights the ongoing concern over urban water security in Australia’s major cities and contains observations regarding the inefficiencies inherent with the current diverse responsibilities for water supply across States and Territories and various levels of Government. This comes as no surprise when considering the dire drought situation faced by great tracts of the country over recent years and the desperate actions taken to alleviate the very real threat of exhaustion of potable water supply.
Much is made of the fact that there is little competition in bulk water supply in this country. Another major observation is that water consumers are generally considered as having equal expectations of water reliability and supply and that this should not be assumed. The overriding impression is a move toward water becoming a market-regulated commodity.
The report refers to “…political pressure to minimise the rate of increase of water prices..” and goes on to indicate that this is preventing the realisation of “…fully cost-reflective pricing”. Naturally presiding over a steep increase in the cost of water – generally regarded as an essential service to be provided by our Governments and absolutely necessary to the quality of life – is a political hot potato! In South East Queensland we have recently seen the separation of water supply responsibilities into new local Government business units such as Queensland Urban Utilities. Unpopular water price increases are now distanced from the ever-controversial issue of Council rate rises. However, the effect will be the same regardless of who passes on the bad news – higher water usage charges.
Rainwater harvesting and maintaining an alternative water supply now becomes crucial to avoid total reliance on centralised water supply and full exposure to the inevitable increasing costs. Market-regulation of essential services has rarely ever resulted in cheaper costs to the public; and water supply is unlikely to an exception. Consider that one of the recommendations made in this report is that “policy makers need to communicate the true impact of below-cost pricing to users and the wider community”. Undoubtedly this information will be used to ‘prepare’ us for water price hikes and/or the establishment of optional standards of water supply.
A decentralised water system doesn’t come without cost; but rainwater is free and you control when, where, and how much you use.
The full Infrastructure Australia Urban Water Security Report can be viewed at
22
Smart Approved WaterMark for Water Tactics
0 Comments | Posted by Water Tactics in rainwater, water conservation, water usage
Water Tactics has been awarded the Smart Approved WaterMark for our rainwater tank cleaning and maintenance services.
The Smart Approved WaterMark is an Australian national labeling system for products and services which contribute significantly to water savings outdoors and around the home. An expert panel individually assesses each application for demonstration of water saving capability.
The awarding of the SAWM constitutes further endorsement of the role of rainwater harvesting in urban water conservation. It recognises the water savings to be achieved through the utilisation of a well-maintained and efficient rainwater storage system.
Preventative tank maintenance ensures the maximum amount of rainwater is harvested and available for use as an alternative water supply.
Tank cleaning – generally required every 2-3 years – is essential to tank water quality and protecting the end-use devices. Contrary to popular belief, IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO EMPTY A TANK in order to clean it. Water Tactics has developed a process which results in only minimal water loss and leaves the remaining tank water clean and healthy.
To celebrate this achievement, we’re offering our customers a 10% discount off the cost of our tank cleaning and tank maintenance services. If you have a tank in the greater Brisbane area, call 33248774 and mention this news item.
E coli bacteria was detected in drinking water in Nerang (Gold Coast) as reported in newspaper articles published over the weekend. For example: http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/03/20/200315_gold-coast-news.html
We trust our Governments with the responsibility to ensure that the water in our taps is safe for drinking – but things do go wrong. Obviously something went ‘wrong’ with water quality testing in this case and the elevated levels of E coli went undetected. Last year the Queensland State Government admitted that something went ‘wrong’ when it came to the levels of fluoride added to the drinking water. And of course there was the extreme case in Sydney in 1998 when high levels of giardia and cryptosporidium pathogens were present in the water and lead to a health crisis as well as a public crisis of confidence in water safety.
Now, if you consider the future prospect of water privatisation… One day water quality might not even be a Government responsibility.
So what can you do? Take control…
Installing a water filter gives individuals control over the quality of the water used every day by their family. There are various water filtration mechanisms and they are designed to deliver varying degrees of water purification under different circumstances. See our Water Filtration page for information on the different filtration systems we install and maintain. http://watertactics.com.au/water-filtration.php
18
What happens to your tank when it rains?
0 Comments | Posted by WaterTactics in rainwater, water usage
Sounds like an obvious question, right? It rains, the tank fills with water…simple! Or is it?
In times of heavy rain, take the time to go out and check on your rainwater storage system and see how it’s operating. You may find some of these things happening:
TANK OVERFLOWING FROM THE TOP
This could be a blocked overflow. This needs to be rectified as overflowing from the top can result in erosion of the tank base. It could be that the amout of water flowing in is exceeding the overflow capacity. Either an additional overflow may be required or replacing a fixed screened overflow with a high flow flap valve can increase the overflow output.
LEAKING INLET OR OVERLFOW PIPES
The best test of pipe integrity is the pressure of a heavy downpour. Take note of the position of the leak and call us when it stops raining. Fixing small leaks will prevent further, more serious damage to pipe integrity.
GUTTERS OVERFLOWING
Your rainwater catchment may be blocked or simply unable to handle the size of the downpour. During our tank maintenance service, we check your rainwater catchment area for blockages. Blocked catchments can also be a mosquito breeding risk. We may also recommend installation of an additional downpipe to reduce excessive pooling.
TANK NOT FILLING
Could be your inlet strainer is blocked and not allowing the water through into the tank. If the water is not coming through the inlet pipe, it is possible that your rain heads need clearing or the first-flush diverter is malfunctioning. All these items are attended to during our tank maintenance service.
Preventative maintenance is a must to keep your rainwater system operating efficiently so that you can maximise your rain harvest and reduce your potable water consumption.
Brisbane has had its wettest summer in 6 years…and there’s more rain on the way.
Now is an ideal time to have your rainwater tank cleaned. Although our rainwater tank cleaning process means that you lose a minimal amount of water, it is necessary to discard some of the water in order to remove the sludge from the bottom of the tank.
At this time of year, you can be sure that the amount lost will be replenished and leave you with a full tank of clean healthy rainwater in preparation for the dry season ahead.
Rainwater tanks should be cleaned to remove sediment build-up on average every 2-3 years as recommended by the Australian Government Environmental Health (enHealth) Council in the authoritative document “Guidance on Use of Rainwater Tanks”.
Even if you are not drinking your tank water or have it connected to internal plumbing, the sediment layer in the tank can harbour harmful bacteria. If the sediment level builds up and is drawn through your water pump, the pump may sustain damage which will shorten its life expectancy.
Tank cleaning is part of a preventative maintenance program which ensures your rainwater storage system continues to provide you with clean, safe rainwater to help reduce your potable water consumption.
For something so precious, rainwater is not meant to be very exciting at all – colourless, tasteless and most importantly odourless.
So what do you do when you have smelly water in your rainwater tank?
There can be many different reasons for nasty tank water odour
- vegetation break down – especially delicate seasonal flowers like jacaranda and hibiscus
- pollutants and animal droppings accumulating on roof and washing into the tank
- build-up of sediment on base of tank harbouring bacteria
- breaches in pipework allowing ground water seepage to enter the tank
- cross-contamination with sewerage overflow (yes, unfortunately it can happen)
- worst of all…unfortunate ‘visitors’ making their way into the tank (possums, rats, toads…we’ve even seen a giant earthworm!)
The first thing we do when we encounter smelly tank water is take a good look at the whole system, identify the source of the contamination and take necessary steps to rectify the situation.
Next we clean the tank, filter and sanitise the water. In most cases you will still only lose a minimal amount. In extreme cases, it may be best to discard the water, scrub out the tank and start over again. You will be surprised at what we can clean up, though!
So don’t put up with smelly tank water. Give us a call and let us take the ‘rank’ out of your tank!
The Australian Rainwater Industry Development Group (ARID) in conjunction with the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) have produced a comprehensive guide to rainwater usage and rainwater products.
The Rainwater Consumer Guide provides straight-forward information regarding all aspects of rainwater harvesting and aims to assist in the choice of sustainable water options for your home.
As a member of ARID, we have copies of the guide available and will be happy to send you one. Just give us a call on 07 33248774 or email info@watertactics.com.au with your address details.
The Irrigation Water Efficiency Management Plan (IWEMP) is a strategy introduced by the Queensland Water Commission to ensure that commercial water users are accountable for the efficient and sustainable use of our potable water supplies.
Those required to prepare an IWEMP are commercial premises and residential complexes with an irrigation area exceeding 500 square metres. The plan is prepared after a thorough inspection of the existing irrigation system. It documents the strategy to reduce water usage by implementing efficient irrigation practices and details optimal irrigation requirements for the property.
As a Certified Irrigation Professional and member of Irrigation Australia, Water Tactics can prepare an IWEMP and guide you through the compliance and submission process.
Fascinating to consider that rainwater harvesting from the “rooftop of the world” should warrant such a stringent cleaning regime. Check out this article about an enterprising business entrepreneur in Bhutan.
http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14651
