Residents on Alert for Water Contamination

Bushfires have a number of impacts on local communities including the impact on the quality of water and people’s health. With the possibility of rain expected towards the end of the week, Council is urging residents who have rainwater tanks to temporarily disconnect their down pipes or utilise rainwater diversion devices if installed.

By disconnecting the down pipes with the first rain, this will ensure that ash and debris from the bushfire that has fallen onto your roof has been washed off. Depending on the rain fall received and the amount of ash and debris on your roof, pipes can then be reconnected.

Ash and debris could also be washed into dams, creeks and streams. An easy way to avoid this is to use hay bales or shade cloth as a filter where the water flows into these areas. This will reduce the amount of ash and debris entering the water and prevent further contamination problems.

For further information regarding water contamination, please contact the Wangaratta Rural City Council’s Community Development Team Leader, Louise Hazelton, on 5722 0888.