Tank water protection

Maintaining rainwater tanks and other storages used for drinking water in a good healthy condition is important in removing the risk of outbreaks of dengue fever - a mosquito-borne viral disease which is often symptom-less but can create fatal consequences.

The recent exceptional weather pattern in northern Australia in particular has resulted in the Queensland State Department of Health recently launching a significant multidimensional program which includes public education, identification of the dengue mosquito breeding sites and their eradication, as well as recognising ‘geographical hot spots’, especially those regions and dwellings where the risk of dengue mosquito activity is significantly higher.

As the dengue mosquito prefers stagnant water for its breeding habitat, rainwater storage tanks represent a potential breeding ground.

With the increased use of tanks for drinking and other domestic water uses, landholders need to know that a ‘collect and forget approach’ with rainwater imposes some risk.

Davey Water Products has introduced Aquasafe - a tank water purifier that is claimed to be an effective liquid oxidant that will keep rainwater tanks free of mosquito larvae for up to two months.

The product eliminates the mosquito feed source of bacteria and algae from the stored water, thereby reducing the risk of infection.

The product also destroys virtually all the other bacteria which can enter a rainwater storage tank from contact with bird or animal droppings, dust or dirt collected on roof surfaces, or from decaying vegetable matter such as leaves retained in spouting or pipe systems.

Aquasafe will break down into oxygen and water once it has completed the disinfection of rainwater, making it a suitable treatment for rainwater that is intended to be used as drinking water.

The product is readily available from water equipment suppliers, pool and spa equipment suppliers, rainwater tank retailers and plumbing supply companies.

It is packaged as 1, 5 or 25 L packs while test strips are also available to check on the water quality. A 1 L pack is sufficient for the initial treatment of 15,000 L of stored rainwater.

Further information on Davey Aquasafe is available at www.davey.com.au.