Water Tactics, in conjunction with Environmental Pumping and Irrigation (EPI) are working to streamline the process of restoration of pools and tanks and the replacement of flood-damaged pool pumps and rainwater transfer pumps in the Brisbane area.

During flood clean-up, restoring inundated swimming pools and rainwater storage systems is crucial in order to eliminate contaminated water and prevent mosquito breeding in these stagnant water sources.

Working together, Water Tactics and EPI offer a full pool and tank restoration service.  Water Tactics provide pool and tank cleaning and water treatment while EPI will source the best deal on flood-damaged pool pump or transfer pump replacement.  EPI can also replace flood-damaged pool chlorinators.

Where pumps and chlorinators have been submerged in flood water, they will have been irreparably damaged and must be replaced.  No attempt should be made to operate such equipment as there will be risk of potentially dangerous electrical malfunction.

Call Water Tactics on 07 33248774 or EPI on 07 3800 9455 for pool and tank cleaning and replacement of flood-damaged pumps in the greater Brisbane area.

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For people with flooded underground tanks and pools, the best advice is not to rush into action; consider all options and/or seek professional help.

As a consequence of the floods in Brisbane, Queensland and other parts of Australia, swimming pools, underground rainwater tanks and even above-ground tanks have been inundated with flood water.

We have been receiving calls from anxious tank and pool owners wanting to have the flood water removed immediately.  Not a good idea.  In the case of underground tanks and pools, if you pump out the water completely, you run the risk of having the empty structure ‘pop’ out of the ground due to  hydro-static lift.  This is an even greater risk at this time, given the sodden ground and increased level of the water table.

The first thing to do is arrange for an assessment of the situation.  In some cases, some of the water may be able to be saved and treated to return it to a hygenic condition after removal of sediment.  In other cases, the water will have to be discarded altogether, but then arrangements will be made to immediately fill the tank or pool with sufficient water to provide ballast to ensure it does not lift out of the ground.

Give us a call on 07 33248774 if you have any questions about flooded underground tanks and pools or would like to arrange an assessment in the Greater Brisbane area.

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With so much flooding across Australia and given the Australian love of the backyard pool, we are receiving many calls regarding how to remove or otherwise deal with flood water in swimming pools. Although the number one priority is cleaning out the houses and making them habitable again, flooded swimming pools present a unique set of hazards:

• damage to pool fences allowing  accidental access by children – drowning hazard
• damage to pool pumps and electrical equipment presenting a risk of electrocution
• contamination of water due to flood debris in pool
• mosquito breeding in stagnant water – particularly in Brisbane and throughout Queensland where dengue fever is a risk

Although it may seem that the water is unsalvageable, it is important that  pools are not emptied completely.  With the water table so high, an empty pool may pop out of the ground due to hydrostatic lift causing further expensive damage.

If you do have flood water in your swimming pool, you can take the following initial actions:

• ensure there is no risk of electrocution from damaged pumps etc.
• secure the area if pool fences have been damaged
• add a flocculant to the water to settle suspended debris to the bottom
• if you cannot arrange for water treatment for some time, take measures to control mosquito breeding  e.g. adding kerosene

The sediment will need to be discharged from the pool and larger debris removed before assessing whether any of the water can be saved.  If not, the water will have to be pumped out and replaced soon after.

This fact sheet from the Northern Territory government contains more relevant information.

Call us on 07 33248774 for further advice

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The Brisbane floods will be devastating for many people and  the clean-up will no doubt involve flood damage to rainwater tanks and pressure pumps.  Although rainwater harvesting may seem a futile consideration in the face of the current deluge, some precautions could avoid the need for costly repairs or replacements later.

FLOOD & STORM PREPARATION

1. Ensure your tank overflow is adequate and clean.  A blocked tank overflow will cause water to flow over from the top of the tank and may result in erosion of the tank base – particularly in heavy downpours.

2. Protect your tank pressure pump by removing and relocating it if necessary.  If your pump is submerged by floodwater, it is unlikely to operate again and submerging will void pump warranty.

3. Prevent tank base erosion by floodwater.  Crushed rock bases and even concrete bases will be prone to washing out which will cause rainwater tanks to topple.  Sandbagging the base may help prevent this erosion in moderate flooding situations.

AFTER THE WATERS SUBSIDE

Check for flood damage to rainwater tanks and pressure pumps:

• pumps that have been partially submerged may develop electrical faults which often result in the pump ’shorting’ or tripping the household safety switch when the pump starts.
• check the condition of the tank base.  Severely eroded bases may require the tank to be temporarily removed to allow base re-construction.
• if the tank has been completed submerged – generally in the case of  underground tanks – there may be contamination of the tank water.  Contaminated water can be disinfected using a non-chlorine food-grade tank water purification agent.

If you have any questions regarding flood damage to rainwater tanks and pressure pumps, give us a call on 07 33248774 and we will be only to happy to offer assistance where we can.

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