On 20/3/11, the Sunday Mail ran a story on the state of rainwater tanks in SEQ, highlighting a number of problems and asked Water Tactics to provide input regarding rainwater tank maintenance issues.  In the article, there was a particular emphasis on the risk of mosquito breeding in tanks and the pontial for spreading mosquito-borne disease such as dengue fever. See the full story

While there is a seasonal concern regarding the potential of mosquitoes to breed in ‘failed’ rainwater systems, as always, our stand is that properly maintained rainwater systems pose no greater threat of mosquito breeding than the myriad of other water pooling sources in the average back yard.

Some people still do not acknowledge that rainwater systems DO require maintenance.  It is not extensive but like any other property asset, a rainwater tank and pump will require attention to avoid problems and to ensure the maximum advantage is made of the water conservation potential of a rainwater system.  A major problem is that during the drought and rebate period, the public were actively encouraged to install rainwater tanks but in comparison, there has been scant regard paid to educating the new tank-owners to the necessity for rainwater tank maintenance.

Property developers must also take responsibility for ensuring that rainwater tanks are installed in new properties in such a way as to facilitate maintenance and cleaning in the future.

Most of the routine maintenance can be undertaken by the householder.  See our basic maintenance guidlines. There are professional rainwater service providers – such as Water Tactics – to assist in cases where the householder is unable to undertake maintenance; in case of more complex issues and when the tank requires removal of accumulated sediment every few years.

The only reason governments will be justified in imposing compulsory inspection fees on tank owners is if there is negligence on a grand scale and a real public health risk.  We shouldn’t need to get to that situation.   Of course there are always some people who won’t do the right thing but the potential danger is possibly being overstated to drive home a point.  Decommissioned tanks don’t have to become a mosquito breeding danger; they can be drained and downpipes re-diverted back to stormwater leaving only an eye-sore and wasted potential.  That is the biggest shame!

Rainwater harvesting is a simple and effective means of water conservation.  In one of the driest continents on earth, it makes too much sense to allow negligence and fear to turn the tide of public opinion away from it.  Maintenance is the key to successful rainwater harvesting.

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In a majority of cases, cleaning of flooded water tanks means they can be salvaged and restored to a state where they are fit for purpose.  Exceptions to this are:

• Major structural damage to the tank
• Installation of the tank prevents clear access to the tank for cleaning and/or flushing purposes
• Internal structure of the tank prevents adequate access for cleaning
• When tank water is used for drinking and complete and thorough disinfecting of the tank is not possible

Be aware that many tank manufacturers and installers do not offer a service for cleaning flooded water tanks.  The only alternative they may be able to offer is to replace the tank with a new one.  If you find yourself in this situation, give us a call for a second opinion.

We give priority to those who have been flood-affected and offer a FREE ASSESSMENT and 25% OFF our the cost of our regular tank cleaning.

You can read more about this offer on the flood discounts website or on our own special offers page.

Due to the vast number of different tanks on the market and the unique circumstances of each case, we need to inspect the flooded tank site to assess the damage and consider the options.  Cleaning flooded water tanks is time-consuming and messy work, but it is by far less expensive than replacing tanks.

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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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You would not believe what we found while tank cleaning in Brisbane!  Our customer complained that something was ‘dead’ on the tank inlet strainer and making the the water smell foul.

Identification took some time but it turned out to be a cross between animal, vegetable and mineral – A BABY’S NAPPY!!

Besides the ‘YUK’ factor, it’s a mystery to consider how it actually got there.  Maybe someone had thrown it over a fence or up onto the roof.  This particular rainwater tank takes its input from a wet system where the pipes run underground and then up into the tank but it would not be impossible for the wrapped nappy to be pushed through.  Hard to believe anyone would deliberately place it there.

However it got there, it still remains that it potentially introduced e-coli contamination into the tank water supply.

So what did we do?  Because Water Tactics are all about saving water, we did not empty the tank as some might expect.  We cleaned the tank to remove the sludge from the bottom of the tank, filtered the remaining water and sanitised the tank by adding a water purifying agent.  Water disinfection kills bacteria and de-odourises the smelly tank water.

While tank cleaning in the Greater Brisbane area we have come across all kinds of tank contamination by possums, frogs, toads, snails, vermin, worms and all kinds of vegetation – but this was a first!

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Rainwater tank pressure pump service and pump repairs are another of Water Tactics areas of expertise.

We regularly see electric pressure pumps supplying tank water into homes that are not performing adequately either because the pump has not been maintained properly or the incorrect selection and/or installation of the pump.

Here are a few basic points of consideration that will help keep your electricity bills down and extend the life of your rainwater tank pressure pump.

Reduce pump cycling

Did you know that a pump draws the most electricity when it starts?   By minimising the number of starts the pump has it will help keep your power bill down.

Listen to your pump.  Is it starting and stopping frequently or operating when no water is being used in the house?  This is called ‘pump cycling’ and will be adding to your household electricity costs.

Repair leaking or dripping taps around the house – a couple of drips from a leaking tap is enough to start some pumps.

A pump pressure tank can save you money

A pressure tank contains an inflatable bladder and stores some water which is drawn off before the pump starts.  If the bladder is deflated it will cause the pump to start & stop more frequently. The bladder pressure should be checked at least every 12 months and re-inflated to the prescribed pressure.

With the increased popularity of electronic pressure controllers, many pumps no longer have  a pressure tank.  However, a  pressure tank can be installed on any pressure pump system and (if properly maintained) can significantly reduce the amount of times the pump starts/stops and reduce the operating duration.  Reduced operation not only reduces the power costs but also the wear and tear on the pump itself .

Protect your pump with a pump cover

Did you know that most pump manufacturers will void warranty if a pump has been exposed to the elements?

Although most pumps are weather resistant, they are like cars – they will last a lot longer if they are garaged.  Install a pump cover that protects your pump from the elements but allows airflow to avoid overheating.   Compare the cost of installing a pump cover to the cost of replacing a damaged pump.  See our products page for more information on our range of pump covers.

Regular water pump service

A typical rainwater tank pressure pump service may involve

• re-inflating the pressure tank
• cleaning pre-filters between tank water source and the pump
• checking operation to identify any irregularity which may indicate damaging wear
• identifying leaks which result in water wastage

Your rainwater tank pressure pump should be treated as any other household asset.  A regular pump service can avoid the need for costly pump repair at a later stage.

For more information, see our Pump Service page.

For rainwater tank pressure pump repair and service, contact Water Tactics on 07 33248774.

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Water Tactics are giving away FREE tank water disinfection product with our rainwater tank cleaning service if you book during the month of December.

The warmer months can bring a range of tank water quality issues as bacteria thrives in the heat. The breakdown of spring/summer vegetation and air-borne pollen can introduce foul odour to the water. In the tropics and sub-tropics, the humidity and higher rainfall produce ideal conditions for mosquitoes which will invade a tank if given the chance. Even well-maintained tanks can be prone to the microscopic larvae entering through the inlet strainer when mosquitoes breed in pooled water in gutters and catchment areas.

The answer to these problems is tank water disinfection to regularly sanitise the water. Food-grade, non-chlorine disinfectants or sanitisers are available and easy to use.

Book your tank cleaning service before the end of December and mention this offer and we will give you a 1 litre of tank water disinfection product ABSOLUTELY FREE. This is enough to treat a 5000L tank for over 6 months.

Call us on 07 33248774 to book a tank cleaning service before the end of 2010 and receive your free  tank water disinfection product.

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With dengue fever already reported in far north Queensland, the mosquito-awareness campaign is sure to be prevalent this summer.  As in the past, we can expect the dire predictions regarding the role of rainwater tanks in the spread of mosquito-borne disease.

Truth is that well-maintained tanks pose no greater threat – perhaps even less – as mosquito breeding sites than the myriad of water-pooling opportunities present in the average suburban backyard. However, the potential risk is perceived as being greater due to the ideal breeding conditions which would be presented by large volumes of neglected, stagnant tank water in the community.

Current research being conducted by the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) will expand on previous findings regarding the increased threat of mosquito breeding in relation to household water storage practice.  This research will involve up to 10,000 Brisbane houses and is planned to continue until 2012.  In all probability, significant mosquito infestation will be detected in tanks which have not been adequately maintained.

Important points to consider to avoid your rainwater tank turning into a mosquito haven:

• Ensure all tank inlet and overflows are adequately screened (minimum 1mm mesh)

• Tank overflows should be fitted with a flap valve to prevent blockage but still retain mosquito-proofing

• Wet systems must have drainage points, rain heads and flap valves fitted to avoid mosquitoes breeding inside inlet pipes
  

• Avoid water pooling on catchment areas and in gutters

• Microscopic mosquito larvae can enter the tank through screens but can be eliminated by adding a water sanitiser

• First-flush diverters must be emptied after each downpour.  Mosquitoes can breed in pooled water held in blocked diverters.
  

• Regular, routine maintenance ensures system integrity and water quality are consistently monitored

• If in doubt, seek professional advice and assistance.  Call WATER TACTICS on 07 33248774
  

And as if you needed added incentive…

Under the Queensland Public Health Act, tank owners can be fined if mosquitoes are found breeding in rainwater tanks.

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