Hints & Tips
Rainwater: What should you do before and after a Bushfire...
BEFORE: During Bushfire Season its probably a good idea to clean your gutters, leaf traps and use your first flush device (if you have one) to bypass collection from your roof area.AFTER: Check to see if your rainwater tank(s) have been contaminated either indirectly by ash, smoke, debris or directly by fire and fire fighting activities (as often chemical treatments are added to the tanks such as dyes or wetting agents). Check if the water tastes or smells unusual, is cloudy, has an unusual colour, contains debris or if the water level in the tank has increased (this would indicate you had some run off from your roof during the bushfire).

First Rains...
It is important for residents in fire affected areas or in areas where ash may have fallen on roofs to ensure that all rainwater from the first good rain fall event is not collected as this may be contaminated by ash.
If you think your rainwater is CONTAMINATED (get it tested)
- You can still use it to fight fires, flush the toilets, wash the car and water the garden.
- DON’T DRINK IT
- DON’T COOK WITH IT
- DON’T WASH IN IT
- DON’T USE IT TO WATER ANIMALS
- Don’t use it to fill your Pool or in an Evaporative Air-conditioner as ash and other debris may clog filters and pumps.
If it is confirmed to be contaminated you will need to drain, possibly clean, and then refill your tank(s) with chlorinated water (i.e.. scheme water) using a friendly local water carter like us.
Urban Rainwater Collection PDF
Department of Fire & Emergency Services
DFES Alerts and Warnings Map