Residents of Bowen, Queensland were recently advised to boil all mains water after the dangerous E- coli bacteria was found in the Queensland water supply.
Bacteria like E- coli is often found in animal faeces. Some strains of this bacteria will cause stomach cramps, diarrhoea and bloody stools and vomiting. The common way to treat most water borne pathogens is by adding chlorine to the water supply. Around 98% of the developed world uses Chlorine to treat the mains water. It’s not just unique to Queensland water
Chlorine is a known poison and therefore has a negative effect on our bodies. The exact side effects of consuming Chlorine in the levels found in the Queensland water supply are not known however it has been linked to respiratory diseases like Asthma. Chlorine also vaporises faster than water so airborne chlorine vapour is easily inhaled while showering.
Boiling Queensland tap water will also remove the bacteria but must be done immediately prior to consumption or it could be re- contaminated. This is the safest way to treat water as it does not require adding potentially harmful chemicals to your water. Obviously it is not possible for the Queensland Water to deliver boiling water to your tap hence why chemicals are used instead.
Water borne bacteria and pathogens can also infect rainwater tanks if bird and animal droppings are washed into the tank. Rainwater from the sky in most parts of Queensland is pure and safe to drink but it can pick up pollutants when it comes into contact with the roof, gutters and pipe work used to collect the rainwater.
The best way to prevent potentially dangerous pollution and sediment entering the rainwater tanks is with first flush rainwater filters. The rainwater filters will automatically discard a pre set amount of rainwater when it first starts to rain before capturing clean rainwater. This not only keeps the rainwater in the tank clean and safe but will also reduce the amount of maintenance needed on the rainwater tanks. Australian Standards recommend the use of a first flush diverter to discard a minimum of 20L per 100 square metres of roof area. This can be increased if the roof is in a polluted area such as a busy road or areas with many trees and leaves.