Safety needed around tanks

Victorians are being urged to be vigilant about the maintenance of water tank stands. Deputy Building and Plumbing Commissioner Neil Savery the collapse of a tank stand had the potential to not just threaten the structural integrity of nearby buildings, but lives. ‘‘In many situations, rainwater tanks are installed on wooden tank stands. However, they need to be structurally adequate to bear the water load at full capacity and maintained to do so by homeowners,’’ he said. He said if an owner was in doubt about the structural soundness of a tank stand they should contact their council or a private building surveyor, a structural engineer or a Registered Building Practitioner. He said only licensed plumbers could install water tanks, whether for toilet flushing or watering the garden Mr Savery said a building permit may be needed if the tank is to be supported by an existing building. According to the commission, before buying or installing a tank, there were some considerations a homeowner should make:

before you have a tank installed, consult with council about any restrictions on size and site location;

always use a licensed plumber and make sure you receive a compliance certificate on installation;

ask the plumber to advise you on the type of tank best suited to your needs;

discuss installing a first flush diverter with your plumber;

your plumber must identify the water pipe running from your tank as rainwater;

ask your licensed plumber whether a filter is needed for your tank;

clean roof gutters regularly so that catchment area is clear of contaminants and take precautions when climbing on ladders or on roofs;

make sure access covers are kept closed and openings are sealed;

rainwater tanks should be cleaned every two to three years to remove any accumulated sediment.